Skip to main content

Prepare to Quit : Explore Your Quit Smoking Options




#Cravings #HealthNews #Nicotine #NicotineWithdrawal #QuitSmoking #Smokefree

Quitting is hard. But quitting can be a bit easier if you have a plan. When you think you’re ready to quit, here are a few simple steps you can take to put your plan into action.



Know Why You’re Quitting
  • Before you actually quit, it’s important to know why you’re doing it.
  • Do you want to be healthier?
  • Save money? Keep your family safe? If you’re not sure, ask yourself these questions:
  • What do I dislike about smoking?
  • What do I miss out on when I smoke?
  • How is smoking affecting my health?
  • What will happen to me and my family if I keep smoking?
  • How will my life get better when I quit?

Still not sure? Different people have different reasons for quitting smoking.


Learn How to Handle Your Triggers and Cravings
Triggers are specific persons, places, or activities that make you feel like smoking.
Knowing your smoking triggerscan help you learn to deal with them. 

Cravings are short but intense urges to smoke. They usually only last a few minutes.
Plan ahead and come up with a list of short activities you can do when you get a craving.
Find Ways to Handle Nicotine Withdrawal. During the first few weeks after you quit, you may feel uncomfortable and crave a cigarette. This is because of withdrawal. During withdrawal, your body is getting used to not having nicotine from cigarettes. For most people, the worst symptoms of withdrawal last a few days to a few weeks. 

During this time, you may: Feel a little depressed Be unable to sleep Become cranky, frustrated, or mad Feel anxious, nervous, or restless Have trouble thinking clearly
You may be tempted to smoke to relieve these feelings.
Just remember that they are temporary, no matter how powerful they feel at the time.

Fact:
The worst withdrawal symptoms only last a few days to a couple of weeks. Stay strong

One of the best ways to deal with nicotine withdrawal is to try nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). NRT can reduce withdrawal symptoms. And NRT can double your chances of quitting smoking for good. NRT comes in several different forms, including gum, patch, nasal spray, inhaler, and lozenge. Many are available without a prescription.

A lot of research has been done on NRT. It has been shown to be safe and effective for almost all smokers who want to quit, including teens. But if you have a severe medical condition or are pregnant, talk to your doctor about using NRT. 

If you plan to use NRT, remember to have it available on your quit day. Read the instructions on the NRT package and follow them carefully. NRT will give you the most benefit if you use it as recommended. 

Explore Your Quit Smoking Options
It is difficult to quit smoking on your own, but quitting “cold turkey” is not your only choice. In fact, choosing another option may improve your chances of success. 
Check out: 
SmokefreeTXT text message program
QuitGuide app and quitSTART app
Quitlines like 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) and 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848).
Find a quit method that might be right for you. 

Tell Your Family and Friends You Plan to Quit 
Quitting smoking is easier when the people in your life support you. Let them know you are planning to quit and explain how they can help. Here are a few tips: 

  • Tell your family and friends your reasons for quitting.
  • Ask them to check in with you to see how things are going.
  • Ask them to help you think of smokefree activities you can do together (like going to the movies or a nice restaurant).
  • Ask a friend or family member who smokes to quit with you, or at least not smoke around you.
  • Ask your friends and family not to give you a cigarette—no matter what you say or do.
  • Alert your friends and family that you may be in a bad mood while quitting. Ask them to be patient and help you through it.
  • Support is one of the keys to successfully quitting. Find more ways to get support to help you quit.
  • Make a Quit Plan
  • Having a plan can make quitting easier. Create your personalized plan to help you stay focused, confident, and motivated to quit.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ronan Farrow describes how his Harvey Weinstein reporting unfolded | Nightline

#Nightline #RonanFarrow #MeTooMovement #HarveyWeinstein #MattLauer Farrow talks about obtaining a recording from alleged Weinstein victim Ambra Gutierrez. His NBC producer Rich McHugh predicted the tape would be “the beginning of the end” for Weinstein. WATCH NIGHTLINE EPISODES: https://abc.go.com/shows/nightline ALSO AVAILABLE ON HULU: https://hulu.tv/2wSmSrZ
Post a Comment
Read more

Brené Brown: The Call to Courage

#BrenéBrown #TheCalltoCourage  #Vulnerability #Shame  #Empathy #Netflix  I've relied pretty heavily on Brené Brown's TEDx Houston Talk "The Power of Vulnerability" to get me through the day-to-day. Her video psyched me up before job interviews, reassured me when I failed, and calmed me when I felt overwhelmed with anxiety. I don't think I'm alone in my respect for Brown — her address is one of the top five most viewed TED Talks ever, with 38 million. She has become a go-to source on the study of shame, empathy, vulnerability, and (of course) courage, the focus of her Netflix special.          The special, filmed in front of a live audience, is a recording of an hour-long speech she gave in Royce Hall at UCLA. She discusses the relationship between courage and vulnerability, plus the journey she's taken since the overwhelming success of her 2010 TED Talk. Of course, viewers familiar with Brown's public speaking and bestselling books can ex...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to deal with holiday stress: The psychology behind why family time can turn adults into moody teens again

#holidaystress #family #copingmechanism #conflict #Psychology #Triple5LightTherapy #Couplestherapy #BlackMaleTherapist  No matter how far away from home we travel, most of us can’t escape our familial history — and the memories that come with it. Along with shopping, gift-wrapping, and cookie baking, I’m prepping for the holidays by accepting that family stress may get the best of me. While I haven’t lived at home for over 20 years, conflict around heated topics like politics can make me feel like a misunderstood teen again. Listening calmly and objectively to my parents becomes harder and harder, and I interrupt more. Once, I even rolled my eyes at my mom like a pouty adolescent. My behavior, however, isn’t meant to be disrespectful or cruel, even though it might look that way. It’s actually a normal coping mechanism known as regression. As a psychologist, I’ve heard hundreds of family tales similar to mine. For many of us, reuniting with loved ones during t...
Post a Comment
Read more