Take Steps to Quit Smoking

Okay, you’ve made your decision.  You are now ready to take steps to quit smoking.  You know its going to be hard and you’re not looking forward to it, but you know its time and you’re ready to undertake the challenge!  Where do you start?  What steps to quit smoking are there other than stopping?

Getting ready to stop smoking will help you when you do quit as some of your coping mechanisms will already be in place and you’ll be mentally and physically ready to stop.

Set A Quit Date. Pick a date 2 weeks to a month away that you plan to quit on.  Don’t pick a date when lots of things will be going on, pick a date that you can handle.  Write it on the calendar, circle it in red, add it to your phone, etc.  Don’t look at it as something to dread, but a goal to work towards.

Make a List. List all the negatives about smoking and all the positives about quitting.  Check the list daily and add to it if you like.  Get the lists cemented in your mind.

Make it Inconvenient to Smoke. Its already pretty inconvenient to smoke in most buildings.  Leave your cigarettes at home when you go out and only smoke outdoors when you’re home.  Sitting in the car is cheating.  Brave the weather!

Only Smoke Half. Only allow yourself to smoke 1/2 of a cigarette at a time time.

Wait 15 Minutes. When you have the urge to light up wait 15 minutes first.  Do you still have the urge or did you forget about it because you were doing something? Train your mind to focus on other things.

Don’t Smoke and Drive.  Getting in the car and answering the phone were always my triggers to light up.  Put a pen in your hand instead and keep it there while you drive or talk on the phone to start to break that habit.

These are some beginning steps to quit smoking that you can take.  They give you an idea of ways you can get ready to quit by preparing your mind and body to do what needs to be done.  You Can Do It!