"Smoking – why should I stop?"

 

 

• Pleasure: 'I enjoy smoking', 'Relaxation'

• For a boost: Mental or physical

• Habit: The being used to doing things while smoking

• Addiction: To satisfy nicotine cravings

• Peer/Social: Pressure or to feel part of the crowd

• Emotion: Feelings such as stress, anger, upset, anxiety etc.

 

Ask yourself how you would feel if you’d never started smoking? If the answer is ‘better’ or ‘healthy’, then perhaps it’s time to think about trying to stop.

 

Start with some pre-preparation by ensuring that you really do want to quit smoking. Try to picture yourself in situations where you smoke the most often, as this will help you to identify what triggers the need to smoke.

 

Are the reasons to stop smoking powerful enough to motivate you when you are faced with those tricky situations? Write down your reasons and keep them visible, such as stuck to the fridge or on the back door if you go outside to smoke.

 

 

You may also want to take a look at some of the benefits of quitting.

 

After 20 minutes - Blood pressure and pulse return to normal

 

After 8 hrs - Blood oxygen levels increase to normal, and the chances of having a heart attack start to fall

 

After 24hrs - Carbon Monoxide leaves the body. The lungs start to clear out mucus and debris

 

After 48hrs - Your body is now nicotine-free. Your sense of taste and smell begin to improve. This is always a shock to people – they can taste their food and subsequently use less salt to add flavour to it!

 

After 72hrs - Breathing is easier; your energy levels will improve

 

 

There are many different methods you can try, and one may suit you more than another, but getting a good support network in place is vital for your success. If one method doesn’t work, then try another until you find one that suits you as an individual. Never give up giving up!