Quitting smoking can be tough, especially if it has been a lifelong addiction or you are used to smoking quite a few cigarettes every day.
There is no safe level of smoking. If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your health. The sooner you quit, the better. To best prepare and make the jump towards quitting, we’ve created a helpful guide to help you quit.
1. Be prepared to quit and set a date
Plan ahead and have a strategy for when you feel tempted to smoke. Keep some healthy snacks, water and a piece of fruit at hand to help you get through cravings.
2. Make a list of your reasons for quitting
Write down why you want to stop smoking and keep it somewhere safe so that you can read it whenever you get an urge to light up. It may also help to share your reasons with someone close to you or a friend who has successfully quit before.
3. Think about how much money you will save by quitting
If money is one of your motivations for stopping smoking, then think about how quickly it adds up – if you spend £10 on cigarettes each week, after one year without smoking, that’s £520 saved!
4. Keep yourself occupied with other activities
You may have found that when you’re bored or stressed, you smoke cigarettes. This is because smoking is a way to relax and unwind – but there are plenty of other things you can do instead, such as reading a book, doing some exercise or calling a friend.
5. Get rid of cigarettes
Eliminate cigarettes from your environment by throwing away all ashtrays, lighters and empty packs of cigarettes. Remove all cigarettes from your home, office and car. Don’t keep them anywhere within reach or sight — even if they are hidden in a drawer or closet or under a pile of papers on your desk at work!
6. Family and friends can support you too
Get support from friends and family members who want you to be successful in quitting. Let them help motivate you, but don’t rely on them as a crutch to avoid dealing with your addiction to tobacco products.
7. Seek smoking treatments that can help you quit
There are many smoking cessation programmes designed to help you quit smoking. Book a consultation session with one of our advisors for more information about these treatments and which one might be right for you. Keep using NRTs until you no longer crave cigarettes.
8. Get some exercise every day
Exercise is one of the best ways to help you quit smoking. It can help release endorphins in your brain, making you feel happier and more energetic. You might find that exercising helps you deal with stress or cravings caused by nicotine withdrawal.