We all have once decided to start a new life since Monday or the first day of the year. Smoking is no exception.
In fact, despite this promise being the most common one for New Year, only 4 out of 10 smokers are able to fulfill this promise, and six of them require several attempts before they finally get rid of the habit. This statistics was published in the press release of the American Lung Association. However, the experts say that preparation for the very attempt of quitting can greatly improve your chances of success. New Year‘s Day is a great time to bring the plan to life, and here are some tips on how to do it a bit easier than you think.
- If you find it difficult to quit smoking on your own, consult your doctor. Today, the market of medicine is sufficiently provided with pharmacological means that will facilitate your pain.
- Choose a day when you will forever part with cigarettes and mark it on your calendar in advance. Try starting it on a weekend, when there is less stress than on weekdays. Analyze your ordinary day, think about the situations in which cigarettes are needed most often, try to imagine how to avoid such situations or to develop a new model of behavior (for example, someone goes for a smoke break, and you join those, who want to drink tea or just do ten push-ups from the floor).
- Exercise every day, or walk. Fitness and fresh air improve your mood and increase your energy levels. And walking is generally considered an ideal way to relieve stress after quitting smoking. In addition, take a balanced diet, drink plenty of water and have enough sleep.
- Do not hesitate to ask your friends, colleagues and relatives for help. It is likely that during the first few days after quitting, it will be difficult to focus on the most simple everyday tasks which you used to perform confidently and easily in the company with a cigarette.
- Find like-minded people. It is easier to quit smoking “in a company”.
- Find the motivation. Should we talk about health? And what about the financial gain? And the approval of your relatives and friends, who will no longer be worried about your well-being? And the additional time you can spend with your family, play with the children, walk with them in the park?
New Year is coming very soon! So tick the day in your calendar – and good luck!
