Changing your routine and keeping away from certain triggers can help you avoid cravings

Quitting smoking is tough, but getting to the point where you’re ready to quit is half the battle. According to government estimates, about 70% of current U.S. adult smokers want to kick the habit—but smoking is a hard habit to kick.

Strategies and skills for quitting
When you plan your strategy for quitting tobacco use the U.S. Surgeon General’s five keys to quitting: get ready, get support, learn new skills and behaviors, get and use medicine, and be prepared for relapse.

1. Get ready
Contact your doctor or local health department to find out the kinds of medicines and help available in your area for people who want to quit smoking. Telephone help lines operated by your state can also help you find information and support for quitting tobacco use.

• Check with your insurance provider to find out if medicines or counseling are covered under your plan.
• Prepare your body and mind for the stress that comes with quitting.
• Set a quit date and stick to it. This is an important step toward becoming tobacco-free.
• Choosing a good time to quit can greatly improve your chances of success. For example, avoid setting your quit date on high-stress days, such as holidays.
• Make some changes. Get rid of all ashtrays and lighters after your last cigarette. Throw away pipes or cans of snuff. Also, get rid of the smell of smoke and other reminders of smoking by cleaning your clothes and your house, including draperies, upholstery, and walls. Don’t let people smoke in your home. Take the lighter out of your car.
• Try some methods to reduce smoking before your official quit date.
• Use a smoking journal to record what triggers urge you to use tobacco. This gives you important information on when it’s toughest for you to resist.
• If you have tried to quit in the past, review those past attempts. Think of the things that helped in those attempts, and plan to use those strategies again this time. Think of things that hindered your success, and plan ways to deal with or avoid them.
• Once you quit, don’t even take a puff. After your quit date, don’t smoke at all—not even a puff.

2.  Get support
3.  Learn new skills and behaviors,
4.  Get and use good medicines, and
5.  Be prepared to relapse

For detailed information on these additional keys, please click here and link to Health.com.

Source:  Health.com

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