Step 1
Realize the Benefits of Quitting
Quitting helps your heart and lungs—and it lowers the risk of
hurting your blood vessels, eyes, nerves and other organs. And
quitting smoking can leave you with fewer wrinkles on your face;
better-smelling hair, breath, and clothes; and less exposure for
your family to secondhand smoke.
Step 2
Prepare to Quit
Quitting is hard work, so approach it like any major project. Before
you quit:
-
Set a quit date, and tell your friends and family. Make this a
time when your life is fairly calm and stress levels are low
-
Try starting meals with a salad or a broth or tomato- based soup
with lots of vegetables. This helps you eat more good-for-you
veggies while filling you up before you get to the higher fat and
calorie courses.
-
Throw away your cigarettes, matches, lighters and ashtrays. Ask
others for their help and understanding
- Ask a friend who smokes to consider quitting with you
Step 3
Choose a Quitting Strategy
-
Go cold turkey. Quitting all at once works for some peopleli.
-
Taper off. Quit smoking gradually by cutting back over several
weeks.
-
Use a nicotine patch, gum, inhaler or spray. Or ask your doctor
for a prescription medicine.
- Ask your doctor about counselling, acupuncture or hypnosis.
You can use one of these steps or a combination of them. When you
do, you’ll feel healthier right away, and you’ll be healthier for
the rest of your life.
