How to Prepare Yourself

It has been shown that if you prepare yourself for what quitting smoking entails you have a much better chance for success. The following are ways to get your self ready for the quitting process.

 

·        Make a Plan: Before you actually quit set a date for when you’ll begin the process. You will also need to get rid of ALL cigarettes. That means throwing away all cigarettes from your home, car, office, or any other places you have stashed them. Also spread the word that you are going to be quitting. Inform any smokers that they cannot smoke around you. Also, make a list of any previous tries at quitting and try to think about why those attempts failed.

·        Support System: Let your family, friends, and co-workers that you are going to be quitting and need their support and encouragement. Look for a support group to join in your area, local hospitals and health departments offer free programs or you can call 1-800-Quit-Now for telephone counseling. The more help and support you surround yourself with the better your chances are for being successful.

·        Change Your Patterns: Try to learn new behaviors to replace smoking. Call a friend or take a walk. Even little things like trying a new route to work or eating breakfast in a new place can help distract you from urges to light up a cigarette. Taking a hot bath, exercising, putting together a puzzle or meditation can be used as ways to reduce stress.

·        Talk to Your Doctor: There are several methods for quitting smoking that your doctor can explain and talk over with you.

·        Be Prepared: Prepare yourself that possible relapses are possible. Try to keep yourself out of situations in which you will be tempted to smoke. Also preparing yourself for a possible small weight gain is a good idea. Eating healthy foods and exercising are ways to avoid that however. Mood swings are also something to be prepared for. Many smokers rely on cigarettes to improve their mood. After you quit you need to find other ways to lift your bad moods. One way to do that is reminding yourself how much healthier you are getting each minute you don’t smoke.