Quitting Takes Practice
So you are ready to think about quitting? Great!
Tried to quit before and “failed?” Even better!
How can that be?
The good news is statistics say that every time you quit smoking, you get better and better at it. In short, Quitting Takes Practice. So if you have tried before and not quite made it to the smokefree life you had envisioned, don’t give up.
Here’s the main hints that spell success for most people:
- Be prepared. Seek out counseling and information (the weblinks below are a great place to start).
Read up, and ask your doctor whether medication is the right step for you. Choose a quit date that allows you time to prepare, but not so much time that it turns to procrastination (1-2 weeks is usually good for most people.)
- Plan for the big day. Think about what triggered a relapse in the past and be prepared for it. Expect temptation. It often helps to quit on a Tuesday or Wednesday when your routine is more regular.
- Get support. Join a class, talk to your friends and family, and find some web-buddies to support you! Try quitting with a friend. Ask people not to smoke around you any more, and stick with smokefree places to avoid temptation (see a list of smokefree venues in Guilford County). Free counseling and support is available at 1-800-QUIT NOW
- Keep trying. You may not stay smokefree on the first attempt, but everyone will be successful if they don’t quit quitting!