Viva Vitality: Quit smoking – and stay quit!
By Rita Aman
For some people, quitting smoking is easy, but staying quit is the challenge. There are those who successfully quit and then six months later, a year and a half later, or five years later, they start smoking again.
I recently met a gentleman who started smoking again after seven years of being smoke free. He kept saying, “I can’t believe how stupid that was.”
He was really stuck on beating himself up and it was a challenge to move him forward to start the quitting process again. The good news for him was he recognized all the benefits of living smoke free. He acknowledged he felt stronger and healthier, he was more physically active, enjoyed bike riding and swimming and he noticed a lot more money in his wallet.
And the reverse was also true when he started smoking again. He felt weak by giving into this addiction, and physical activity was more difficult and less enjoyable because he found he was short of breath when riding his bike or swimming.
Here are a few tips when feeling tempted to use tobacco:
Remind yourself of all the hard work you did to quit.
Call to mind your reasons for quitting.
Think of all the benefits you’ve experienced while being smoke free such as the money saved, or the improvements in your health.
Quickly distract yourself, for example phone, email or text a friend.
If possible, remove yourself from the situation, people and things that are tempting you to smoke.
Most importantly, don’t get discouraged and don’t give up! The lesson to learn after a relapse is, “I can do it! I was tobacco free for a week/month/year. I can do it again.” The key is to quickly re-commit to quitting, remember the strategies that helped you quit and start again.
One of the most effective ways to successfully quit and prevent relapse is to have a plan. There are many things to consider before you quit. Will you use stop smoking medication or a nicotine replacement therapy? Do you have a plan manage stress, boredom, and social situations?
Quit Core is a free group program, run by trained leaders, where you will find peer support and learn strategies to help you quit and stay quit. You will get help to design a quit plan that works best for you.
Quit Core virtual groups are offered regularly. In-person groups may also be available close to home. Visit albertaquits.ca or call 1-866-710- QUIT (7848) for dates and locations. There is no fee, but you must pre-register.
Don’t quit alone, join Quit Core today.
Rita Aman is an Alberta Health Services Health Promotion Facilitator.