Have you been wanting to quit smoking for some time but are struggling to butt out? Perhaps your doctor asked you to quit for health reasons, or you want to stop for your family. Whatever the reason that is driving your desire to quit, just know that you’re not in it alone. It can be possible to stop smoking at any age and to stay smoke-free for the rest of your life. With some determination and the advice below, you can be successful at butting it out, once and for all.
Money Saving
Reminding yourself why quitting is necessary and how the benefits outweigh the losses will help you get in the right mind frame to start. Consider how much money you will save over the course of a year, and what you can spend that money on, whether it’s just taking some stress off the monthly budget or saving up for something special like a cruise. Smoking is an expensive habit, and there is lots you can do with that extra money.
The Health Factor
Smoking also causes bad breath, wrinkles, darkened skin, and discoloured teeth, along with serious illnesses like emphysema and lung cancer. The life improvements are substantial when butting out, and the more you acknowledge these benefits, the more likely you will want to stay smoke-free after you stop. Within twenty minutes of quitting, your body begins to repair itself, and with each passing hour, your health will further improve.
It’s Never Too Late
Age is just an excuse when it comes to quitting smoking. Many people have quit after decades of smoking, even after they have failed the first couple of times. It just takes discipline from you and your entire family to change behaviours associated with smoking.
Cracking the Habit
Smoking becomes a part of you - a way to take a break between activities, a way to ease stress and anxiety, and even a way to cope with uncomfortable environments. It’s like a friend that has been comforting you for years, making it hard to let go. But the reality is that its nicotine you need to say goodbye to. It’s what makes it hard for smokers to quit because of its addictive nature. To crack the habit, you need to push through the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine when you butt out. Once you do, it’s smooth sailing from there.
Avoiding the Repeat
To avoid going right back to smoking one or six months later, you need to be doing it for the right reasons. You must want to truly quit and be doing it for yourself and not for others. The more you want it, the easier it will be to fight the cravings.
If you are ready to quit smoking, talk to your doctor about developing a customized smoking cessation plan. You can do it!