Getting Ready to Quit
Getting ready for a do-it-yourself quit? There are some simple things you can do ahead of time to help increase your chances of success. Here's our Top 10 list of tips:
- Pick a quit date. Circle it on your calendar and leave reminder notes on your desk, your refrigerator, near your phone, in your car.
- As you get close to your quit date, try cutting back on how much you smoke a little every day.
- Start getting rid of smoking items in your home, such as ashtrays, lighters and extra packs of smokes.
- Clean your home and car so the smell of cigarettes won't tempt you once you quit.
- Think about when you usually have your first smoke of the day and try to delay that for as long as you can.
- Make a list of the reasons you want to quit and keep the list handy for when you feel a craving.
- Tell your family and friends that you're going to quit and ask them not to smoke in front of you.
- Think about the places you normally smoke. If you can avoid them once you quit, it'll help keep you from getting tempted.
- If you've tried to quit before and didn't make it, think about what made you slip up and try something different.
- Make a list of three friends you can rely on for support. When you feel a craving or get stressed out, give one of them a call.
If you’d like a little more help, the network offers free coaching over the phone or in person, and online.
