Staying With It After The Decision To Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking is really a process that contains more than one event. To begin with there is the actual quitting process. This takes in the initial quitting decision and all the things that a person does to break the smoking habit. For some it means using nicotine replacement treatments, or seeing a councilor while for others it is a go it alone cold turkey process. The truth is that whatever works for an individual that is the thing to do. But, this is only the beginning. Despite the fact that this is a difficult time and that there are many withdrawal symptoms to deal with, including irritability, nervousness and depression, there is still a lot more to come. Quitting does not just mean stopping, it means not starting again and that can be just as difficult as those first few days.
The first thing to do to help make the quitting a permanent thing is to not be frustrated at feeling more tired and less patient. These are early symptoms of quitting and they will pass. The next thing to do is to look at the benefits to what you have done. See what has changed for you and you will notice some definite improvements in your life. It will not be long before you notice that food has begun to taste better. The sense of smell and taste return, the nicotine which is an appetite suppressor is no longer being used, and this gives the new non-smoker a regained enjoyment of food. Do not worry if there is a slight weight gain, eat healthy and enjoy your food. It may have been years since you got to taste what you were eating.
One trick to help encourage the smoker who is regretting their decision to quit is by starting a money jar. You know how often you buy cigarettes, so every time you would put the money into a jar and watch as it accumulates. It will not take long before it starts to add up. Set yourself a reward goal. After the first week, or whatever time period you choose, take what’s in the money jar and use it to buy yourself something. It does not have to be something big, depending on how heavy a smoker you were it could be anything from a fast food dinner to a new CD. The important thing is to reward yourself for your efforts and know that the money comes from your former habit.
Make sure you exercise, even lightly, to help keep the weight off and your body feeling healthy. You will notice that there are breathing improvements and that slowly, after a few months, the coughing disappears. Each day will be a step forward to better health.
Make sure you let your friends know you have decided to stop. Is they are smokers make it clear that offering you a cigarette so you can rejoin the group is not what you want. Be firm that this is the course you have decided to take and that you expect them to be supportive even if they do not understand your desire to quit smoking.