Staying Focused on Quitting
Are you ready for the benefits of a smokefree life? Trying to quit is the first step! The tips below will help you stay on track, even when things get tough.
- Read about how to quit smoking. Think about how it might work for you.
- Spend time remembering your reasons for wanting to stop smoking and the benefits of quitting.
- Tell yourself that you can choose to smoke or not. Tell yourself that you can quit smoking. Make a promise to yourself to not smoke.
- Take the warnings of health hazards and illnesses caused by smoking seriously. They can happen to you.
- Consider the harm to the earth that is caused by smoking (like cigarette butts on the ground, air pollution, and forest fires). Also, the world is a better place when people quit smoking.
- Have at least one person you can count on, be open with, and who will listen to you about your experiences with quitting smoking.
- Take things out of your home and work that remind you of smoking, like ashtrays, matches, and lighters. Replace them with things that remind you NOT to smoke, like a list of your reasons for quitting, or a picture of your family.
- Instead of smoking:
- Find things to do with your hands.
- Think about something else.
- Be active.
- Choose a healthy way to relax or deal with stress.
- Drink cold water.
- Notice how much the public supports nonsmokers and makes it easier to be one. Notice the “No Smoking” signs wherever you go and how many nonsmokers are all around you.
- Label yourself as a nonsmoker. Think about how happy you will be when you quit.
- Reward yourself when you don’t smoke.
- Ask important people around you to help you to feel good about yourself when you don’t smoke. Welcome their rewards.
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