5 Tips to Help You Quit Smoking
You’ve thought about quitting smoking countless times, and you’ve probably tried to quit a few times. Quitting smoking is not easy but if you are ready to quit smoking, keep reading. Tobacco dependence is a two-part problem. First, we have a physical addiction, which is nicotine addiction. Then we have the behavior, which is the habit of using tobacco. Both the addiction and the habit should be addressed when trying to quit smoking. Here are five tips that can help you quit smoking:
1. Don’t Go Cold Turkey Just Yet. If you decide to quit smoking, make sure you prepare. First, have a very strong and personal reason for wanting to quit, something that outweighs your desire to smoke. Second, reach out for help. You can ask your doctor what method he or she recommends, or you can consider the following suggestions.
2. Consider a Quit Smoking Program. A program that uses Motivational Interviewing has proven to be helpful. You can also consider counseling, hypnosis, or the CDC Quitline. It is a comprehensive program that can be tailored to your needs. They can help you get quit-smoking medicines, give tips on how to deal with cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and how to avoid relapse. The program is free. Give them a call at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
3. Ask About Medication. Smoking is an addiction. Talk to your doctor about nicotine replacement therapy and prescription drugs that can help with physical dependence. Combining medication with a quit smoking program increases your chances of succeeding.
4. Find a New Coping Mechanism. Think about the rewards that smoking brings you. For example, it can help you relax, decrease hunger, or help you stay awake. Now try to replace the unhealthy coping mechanism (smoking) with a healthy coping mechanism. For example, take up meditation; even 5 minutes a day can make a difference in your stress levels. Exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight, and being active can reduce your nicotine craving.
5. Be Kind to Yourself. It’s normal to relapse, so don’t be so hard on yourself. Just reevaluate why you want to quit, adopt a healthy coping mechanism, reach out for help again (from your doctor and/or a Quit Smoking Program), and try again. It’s also valuable to evaluate what triggers made you relapse and avoid those triggers the next time you try. Reaching out to your loved ones for support is also a great idea.
If you want to live a healthier lifestyle, consider joining the Rolling Strong program. It’s free to all MVT drivers. To join, contact Coach Claudia at Claudia.Rodriguez@rollingstrong.com