Get ready to quit smoking

If you’re reading this then you really do want to quit smoking. You wouldn’t have clicked otherwise. JOE is here to help to get you started.

By William Nestor

A recent survey claims that seven out of ten smokers in Ireland want to quit smoking cigarettes. I find that hard to believe as most smokers I know are engrossed in a serious love affair. Actually, it’s more of an obsessive relationship which could all end very badly if the obsessor doesn’t get his fix.

Anyway, you’ve either made many attempts in the past to pack in the ciggies or you’re now at the stage where you really want to kick the habit. Fair play. By keeping it simple, and following these five tips, you will be in the right frame of mind to quit.

1. Create a list of reasons for quitting

To provide yourself with focus and motivation you need to firstly put down on paper what the benefits will be of quitting for good. Improved health, more energy, no smell on your clothes, more money, better smelling breath, no stained fingers, people being more comfortable in your presence, the list goes on. Make yours and add to it if you think of more along the way.

2. Make an oath

It’s just like making a pact with your mates that you would never do something - except this time you’re all on your own. Don’t tell anyone that you’re going to attempt to quit smoking. It will only put more pressure on you and create an on-going questioning from family and friends about whether you’ve stayed off them or not. So make an oath, for example, “If I smoke another cigarette I’m going to donate 50 euro to charity”. Stick to it and let’s see how many times you slip up.

3. Pick a date and go for it

There’s absolutely no point in deciding to quit on the spot after lunch on a wet Wednesday. You need to plan ahead and pick a day that you will wake up and not have the first cigarette. And that’s how the ‘cold turkey’ process begins. You don’t have a smoke for the first day, you get to sleep that night and then you tackle the next day.

4. Get more exercise

This should be the natural next step for anyone off the cigarettes for a substantial period (and when I say substantial I only mean about one week, that’s a long time for a smoker). You will have more energy and may suffer from the odd craving so it’s a good idea to be working out or playing sport to stave off the cravings and rejuvenate the body as it rids itself of nicotine.

5. Treat yourself

Don’t be hard on yourself because you’re off the ciggies. Look at all the cash you’re saving by doing it, so, eat well, party on but don’t substitute the smokes with weed or alcohol or any other mind-altering substance.

This was a light-hearted approach to getting you ready to quit smoking. In the coming weeks we’ll be telling you about specific treatments, some that work, some that don’t.