Here are 4 Simple Tips to Help You Quit Smoking this Monday

The first step to becoming cigarette-free is picking your day to quit. Many people opt for a symbolic quit day, such as a birthday or New Year’s Eve. The problem with these choices is that they only appear on your calendar once or twice a year.

So why pick Monday, instead? By using Monday as your day to quit and stay quit, you have 52 opportunities to recommit to your tobacco cessation plan.

To increase the chances of a successful quit, it’s critical that you make a roadmap so you can stay focused and on track. Need some ways to get you started? Here are four quick tips to help achieve your goals:

1. Set a Date – When you set a quit date on your calendar, it creates a sense of mental preparedness and commitment.
2. Spread the Word ­– Don’t be afraid or nervous about telling your friends and family. Be proud of your pledge to quit. Declaring your intentions is also great way to stick with your quit because it makes your more accountable. You can also commit to quit by joining one of the many online tobacco cessation support groups available, hosted through social media networks, public health programs, or community organizations
3. Be Prepared – What makes you want to smoke?  If you regularly reach for a cigarette at certain times of the day, line up a few things to occupy yourself in the event of a craving. Take a walk, have a healthy snack, drink water, call a friend, or turn to a professional. Have a response ready so you won’t be caught off-guard.
4. Remember Your Motivation – Write down every reason you have for quitting, then choose the most important one to carry with you throughout the day. Read the reminder whenever you feel like it, but especially when a craving or trigger takes you by surprise.

Don’t forget that you can use every Monday as a chance to recommit to your quit plan or reset it in case you slip up. You made a great choice when you decided to quit smoking. Use this as motivation to quit and stay quit!

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