As an ex-smoker myself, this sunny weather is a bit deadly for me. There’s nothing I used to enjoy more than a glass of wine on the patio, with a cigarette in my hand. However I gave up smoking over a year ago and other than the odd blip here and there, I’m happy to report I’m still an ex-smoker. My partner also gave up about a year ago, with the help of e-cigarettes. With the thought of smoking on my mind (though it shouldn’t be, I know!) I decided to share with you my thoughts on giving up smoking and staying that way.
- Avoid hanging out with people who smoke. I know that’s not always easy, especially if partners or close friends do, but not being around the smell, the temptation… well that’s half the battle.
- Change your habits. If you’re used to going out on your break from work, especially with a group of smokers, then don’t. Instead, make a cup of coffee and check your emails. Likewise, try to avoid places you associate with having a cigarette, breaking habits are definitely important when quitting smoking.
- Eat instead. Alright, this is a terrible one because you might pile on the pounds, but keeping some celery, carrot sticks or another healthy snack to hand, might help when you get the cravings. Some people find that chewing gum helps too, but just be careful not to eat too much rubbish, just to avoid cigarettes.
- Try patches, nicorette gum and e-cigs. Not everything works for everyone, sometimes none of these will. However give them a try and see what you think. If they help, they help – well if not, no harm done.
- Reward yourself. Some people find that putting a few pounds in a jar helps – or even the cost of the cigarettes that you didn’t just go out and buy. Find ways to treat yourself and keep yourself positive, don’t make it feel too much of a chore.
- PMA, determination, will power. Don’t try and give up for anyone else, do it for yourself. Sure you should think about your kids (if you have them), your other family members, the health risks and benefits etc. but ultimately choose to give up smoking because you want to – it’s really the only way it will help. Keep a positive mental attitude about the whole situation, be determined to see it through and not just quit for a while but instead quit for good and finally commit to being committed. No one will tell you that giving up smoking will be easy and honestly keeping that way is even harder – but it’s definitely worth it in the end.
There are millions of reasons why you shouldn’t smoke and not many reasons why you should. Smoking is such a dangerous habit with so many health risks, that it’s crazy what we knowingly do to ourselves. Don’t forget that NHS offer a free advice service and if you’re looking to get life cover, places like Legal & General are much more likely to over policies to those who don’t smoke.
