End to Smoking

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Quitting smoking will be one of the most challenging things you may ever face in your life. Especially If you have been smoking for most of your life, it may have subconsciously been in your daily or even hourly routine. But that doesn’t mean that it is impossible to quit.

Here’s 10 tips that will keep you motivated to quit.

• Set a date to quit.
  Mark down a date in your calendar that you think is realistic and achievable. Tell family and friends and then stick to it!
• Write down why
  Make a list of why you are quitting and who you are quitting for. It could be for your own benefit or for your families. Put it somewhere visible. When you have those cravings, make sure you look at why you are quitting.
• Let people know your quitting and find someone to quit with.
  If you want to succeed, let people close to you know that you are quitting. Everyone knows that quitting is a challenge and surrounding yourself with support will help. Additionally, see if anyone wants to join you. Having someone with you to hold you accountable can be a massive help.
• Note how much you are saving each week/month and spend it on yourself
  The average smoker spends between 20-30$ a day on cigarettes, which is $600-900 a month. Set yourself up a bank account and put the money you would have spent on cigarettes in that account. Then treat yourself regularly
• Keep yourself busy
  Make a list of things to do when cravings come, like drinking a class of water, going for a walk or calling a friend.
• Eat well
  Cravings can be confused with hunger. Keep healthy snacks around the house for these moments. Fruits, muesli bars, vegetables are all good choices.
• Keep up physical activity
  Exercising can be a great way to take your mind off smoking. It can also burn stress which may be a trigger for smoking.
• Find new ways to relax
  Smoking is widely used to calm down. Having another way to calm you down can eliminate the need to smoke. Try yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, light exercise or breathing techniques! There are articles on all of these on the HBP Group website.
• Celebrate milestones
  Quitting smoking is no easy task and the best way to celebrate each week month or year is with a party, however big or small!
• Don’t give up.
  Any length of time without a cigarette is an achievement even if it leads to smoking again. The more time you try and quit the greater success you have of quitting!