| Millions of smokers all over the world decide to quit | | | | Find all of your smoking accessories and throw them |
| smoking at the New Year, the time we make our | | | | away so as to avoid temptation, believe me the first |
| resolutions to be healthier for the forthcoming year. But | | | | few weeks are very hard and you want to avoid the |
| lots break their resolution within 24 hours of making it. I | | | | temptation of just having the one. |
| know I did for several years. The first thing that is | | | | Step Three. Plan On How You Are Going To Quit |
| helpful is to dispel the common myth that the best way | | | | The first and most important step that a person can |
| to quit smoking is cold turkey; it is not. You do not have | | | | take to quit smoking is to decide to stop. Being as |
| to go it alone, there are many smoking cessation aids | | | | clear as possible about why you want to quit smoking |
| out there for you to try, and you just need to find one | | | | is very important to how much success you will have |
| that suits you. | | | | in quitting. Decide on a quit date and stick to it. |
| When I gave up smoking in 2004 I had tried several | | | | Set yourself milestones and plan a reward. |
| times before, but did not have much success. I then | | | | Step Four. Get Help and Support From Family, Friends |
| embarked on a 5 step preparation and planning | | | | & Your Doctor |
| approach and it worked. If you follow my 5 steps to | | | | You do not have to go it alone. Ask family, friends and |
| quitting smoking, you could have a healthier New Year. | | | | work colleagues for positive encouragement. |
| Step One. Why Do You Want To Quit? | | | | Visit your Medical Practitioner, there are lots of |
| Being able to quit smoking is something that many | | | | smoking cessation aids out there and you just need to |
| smokers wish for and deciding to quit smoking is the | | | | find the one that suits you. |
| one decision that only you can make. | | | | Step Five. Visualize Yourself as a non smoker:- |
| The key to quitting smoking is understanding the | | | | In the office while your colleague is stood out in the |
| process:- | | | | pouring rain; having a candlelit dinner and not leaving the |
| Write down all of the reasons why you smoke, how | | | | table to have a cigarette in between courses; sitting all |
| you got into it, your understanding of what smoking | | | | the way through a movie without having to pop out to |
| does to your body and what happens when you stop. | | | | have a smoke. |
| Step Two. Prepare Yourself | | | | The decision to quit smoking is one of the most |
| Believe that you can quit. | | | | positive decisions you and only you can make. In the |
| Write down when you smoke and why? What | | | | early days, try to avoid situations where you would |
| triggers your need to smoke? | | | | normally have a cigarette, for example when out with |
| How are you going to break the habit? Make a plan to | | | | friends, having a glass of wine, meal times and when |
| avoid the habitual routines of when and where you | | | | feeling stressed because these triggers could set you |
| smoke, particularly in the first couple of weeks. | | | | back on the road to becoming a smoker again. |