The most important thing you should know about quitting smoking is that the harmful effects of the habit begin to reverse almost as soon as you stop. There is no underestimating the difficulty of breaking the smoking habit because of the highly addictive properties of nicotine. You need to build a strong support system within your family and circle of friends and coworkers. You may find that some of the people you know who still smoke may feel uncomfortable or threatened by your efforts to quit. It may be best for you to stay away from them until you feel certain that you can avoid the temptation to smoke.
When you quit smoking, you remove an important source of pleasure and a way to reduce stress from your daily routine. You need to replace the nicotine with something else that gives you pleasure and deal with your stress in more positive ways.
Praise yourself liberally by telling yourself how much better your life is going to be from now on. And remember the following positive things about quitting each time you feel the
urge to take a puff:
- Stopping smoking will free up time that you can now use to exercise, take up a hobby, or spend time with your family.
- You can use the money you used to spend on cigarettes to treat yourself or a loved one to something special.
- Your breath will smell better, your fingers will no longer be yellow, and your clothes and hair will no longer smell like smoke.
- Food will taste better because your sense of smell will improve, and the senses of smell and taste are closely linked.
- Your smoker’s cough will go away in a few months, a sign that your body is healing itself.
- Being a nonsmoker makes you more attractive.
- You will no longer have to stand awkwardly outside of your workplace in the rain and the cold to smoke on breaks or at lunchtime.