5 Steps to Take After You Quit Smoking

Nicotine is both dangerous and highly addictive, and quitting takes a great deal of discipline. The unfortunate truth is that a strikingly small percentage of those who try to quit actually have long-term success.

The key to quitting successfully lies in the habits you develop after you’ve quit. Continue reading to learn five key steps to take once you quit smoking.

1. Find something positive with which to replace smoking.

One of the things that makes smoking so hard to quit is that it can be a convenient habit. You’re allowed to do it on the job as long as it’s during your break and in a designated area outside of the building or off the premises. Furthermore, there are some public places in which you can smoke, which makes smoking as much of a social habit as an addiction. It can even be ritualistic in the sense that many smokers have a puff first thing in the morning, after each meal, when they get stressed, and right before turning in for the night.

One of the best ways to ensure your abstinence from smoking lasts is to find some type of positive stimulation to replace it. For instance, when you feel the urge for a cigarette or cigar, you could replace it with a cup of herbal tea and a mindful walk around the neighborhood if you’re at home. It’s also a good idea to take a book to work with you to read during your breaks. By replacing a smoke break with something else you enjoy, you’re promoting the idea of rewarding yourself, whereas quitting by itself can equate to feeling like you’re depriving yourself of something.

2. Get rid of things that remind you of smoking.

Nostalgia can have a powerful influence on our decision-making, and that’s why it’s important to get rid of things that remind you of smoking. For instance, if you have carpet or furniture that has the distinct odor of cigar or cigarette smoke, it can tempt you to pick up your old habit.

It’s a good idea to take a smoke odor eliminator to the soft surfaces in your home, especially your carpet. Veil is an odor eliminator that’s specially designed to break smoke odors down to the molecular level to neutralize them.

Quitting smoking may also mean having to spend less time around friends or are smokers, especially if they’re ex-smoking buddies. There’s a saying that states, “If you hang around the barbershop long enough, eventually you’ll get a cut.” If you quit smoking and continue to hang around smokers, it greatly increases the likelihood that you’ll go back to your old habit.

3. Prioritize your health.

Smoking’s negative effects on the body are well-documented, so when you call it quits, you must make your health a top priority. It’s a good idea to begin getting regular checkups if you’re not already doing so. With the growth of telehealth due to the COVID-19 pandemic, online tools like the symptom checker, which allows patients to play a larger role in their wellness have become popular. With the ability to set virtual doctor’s appointments and check symptoms with online tools, there’s no reason not to be more proactive about your health.

Not only can you get medical solutions from professional caregivers online, but you can also use online tools to get into better shape. With tools like Step Fitness Online, getting in better shape has never been more convenient. Step aerobics is a great workout that uses biomechanics to burn calories and improve heart health. Exercise is great for your mind, body, and spirit, and a step class is also an excellent diversion from smoking.

4. Get the help of family and friends to motivate you to stay smoke-free.

The help of family and friends is essential to any major changes you hope to accomplish. With the support of those closest to you, committing to quitting becomes that much easier. Even if you feel like you can do it on your own, you can soar with the aid of your loved ones. You should also look into support groups and other resources for ex-smokers. It always helps to surround yourself with people who are on the same journey. After all, there’s power in numbers.

5. Work on the issues that led you to smoke.

One of the reasons people go back to smoking is that they never resolve the issues that found them smoking in the first place. Even if you feel like you don’t have any mental health issues, it’s wise to speak with a behavioral therapist to find the reasons behind your addiction.

Smoking is a hard habit to break, and quitting will test your resolve and patience. However, the health advantages of quitting far outweigh any difficulties and pay for themselves with time. You have to get rid of things that tempt you to smoke, find positive replacements for smoking, and make your health a top priority. However, with the help of your family members and friends, you can face the issues that led you to start smoking and drop the habit for good.