I’m
overwhelmed, and don’t know where to begin. My doctor says that
I need to quit smoking. Please help.
Dear F,
Congratulations on
your decision to quit smoking! In addition to improving your health, you
are about to save a ton of money, improve your sense of smell and taste,
increase your stamina, and become a better role model for the children
around you. As you know, quitting smoking is not an easy thing to do –
but once you accomplish this task you will feel relieved of a tremendous
burden, and feel a lot better about yourself in the process. People around
you will begin to take notice, as your home, car and breath will be rid
of that tobacco smell. What better reasons to keep motivated toward your
goal!
There are a few things
you can do to prepare for a lifetime of healthy breathing:
- Set a date to
quit smoking. Be reasonable. Take a look at your calendar, and make
sure that you can devote at least 2 consecutive weeks without external
stressors complicating things. In other words, if you are about to go
on a business trip, consider setting your quit smoking date for the
day after you return.
- Gather your support
system, and tell these people that you are going to quit smoking. This
step cannot be stressed enough. Find three people that will help you
do what it takes to stay tobacco-free. You will improve your chances
of being successful if you involve others. If you feel that there is
nobody around you who can be a positive influence, find a cessation
support group in your community or online through our website. Try to
make friends with other people who have stopped smoking – they
know how hard it was for them, and may have some helpful tips for you.
- Clean your house,
your office and your car prior to your stop smoking date. Begin to throw
away all of your tobacco-related products and equipment. No need to
hold onto matchbooks, rolling papers, tobacco pouches, cigarette cartons,
lighters, filters, etc. for posterity, especially if they will trigger
you to think about smoking. Begin to purchase your cigarettes daily
so that you will have run out by your stop smoking date. It will take
roughly 14 days to get the stench of cigarette smoke out of the fabric
in your house and car, so start to air out these places now.
- Speak with your
doctor about changing your diet and exercise plan. Even simple changes
like eating more fruit and walking around the block when you feel a
craving will help you to stop smoking. Discuss the many medical options
for tobacco cessation with your doctor prior to trying them yourself.
Remember that Zyban, nicotine patches and nicotine gums are all more
effective when coupled with group support and education. Hypnosis tapes,
like the one we offer on our site, have been known to be effective as
well.
I hope that this information
will be helpful to you as you develop your plan for smoking cessation.
I am here to assist you, if you’d like some more individual support.
Audrey B. Jung, CPC,
DCC, NCC
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