As a smoker, your body will have become dependent on nicotine, which is why stopping suddenly can make going smokefree a challenge. Adopt healthier habits, both around your smoking and your lifestyle and reap the rewards!
Making a new habit stick
It’s all about the little things that add up over time.
Let’s look at an example: running a marathon. There’s no way you could go from no running to marathon runner without building up to it little by little – setting out to run 26 miles on day one is just going to lead to injury and disappointment. The way to do it is to start small, perhaps by walking briskly for a few weeks before progressing to short jogs, then to being able to comfortably run a 5k, and so on.
It’s the same with quitting smoking. When you decide to quit, you might be tempted to go cold turkey, thinking you’ll never smoke again, and you’ll be fine for the rest of your life. People who do this tend to find their attempts are derailed by strong cravings they don’t know how to deal with.
Tips to help build the habit of being smokefree
- Make small changes and build on your good work every day.
- Write down every reason you can think of for quitting smoking, no matter how small or how personal.
- Keep this list somewhere you can see it often, like on your phone or on paper that you stick on your fridge.
How and when you smoke
Think about how often you smoke and what you’re doing when you smoke. If you have a cigarette as soon as you wake up, a small change you can make is sticking on a nicotine patch (or your nicotine replacement therapy aid of choice, like gum or a lozenge) and having breakfast instead. Do this every day and you’ll soon build up the habit of not smoking in the morning.
If you smoke when you get home after a stressful day at work, think about how you can better deal with that stress. Can you do something physical instead? Go for a walk or start a new hobby you’ve always wanted to try – it really can make all the difference. That’s another small change that will soon add up to big results.
Be kind to yourself
Smoking may be a big part of your life, and it’s an addiction. If you end up giving in or veering off track, don’t berate yourself. Pick yourself back up and try again. Don’t forget that even the smallest of changes can make a big difference.
