|
 |
SECTION THREE
I'M GETTING READY TO QUIT
Preparing to quit smoking takes time and effort. Follow this section through,
step by step, and you'll be further down the road to quitting.
LOOK AT YOUR PAST ATTEMPTS
Most smokers don't quit the first time they try. It takes many attempts
to learn the skills of living without cigarettes. If you've tried to quit
in the past, take a look at what happened and how you can avoid problems.
DECIDE ON A STOP DATE
It's important to pick a firm date when you are going to stop smoking.
That will be your first day with no cigarettes. Set the date a week or
two from now.
KEEP A SMOKING DIARY
A smoking diary is a great way to become more aware of your smoking habits.
It tracks the cigarettes you smoke, and helps you find out when and where
you smoke, as well as how you feel at the time. Make a smoking diary and
fill it in for every cigarette you smoke over the next two or three days.
For each cigarette, you will need to record the time of day, what you
are doing, where you are and why you are smoking.
KNOW WHAT MAKES YOU WANT TO SMOKE
One of the things your smoking diary can do is help you figure out what
"triggers" you to smoke. These are the places, people, moods and activities
that give you the urge to smoke. Here are some common triggers:
| |
alcohol |
| |
the
end of mealtimes |
| |
fear of weight gain |
| |
emotional
stress |
| |
others'
smoking |
| |
coffee |
WHAT STAGE ARE YOU AT?
1.  I'm not thinking about quitting, certainly not in the next six months.
See
Section One.
2. I'm thinking about quitting someday, but not right now.
See
Section Two.
3. I want to quit within the next month,
and I want to know more
about how to do it.
See
Section Three.
4. I've just quit and I'm having withdrawal symptoms.
See
Section Four.
5. I've quit smoking and I want to know more about staying that way.
See
Section Five.
|
