Quitting tobacco is a process.
When we were happy, we’d celebrate by lighting up.
When we got angry, smoking would calm us downor so we thought.
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Smoke a cigarette to stay awake.
Feed yourself a smoke.
This list goes on and on.
Have patience with yourself.
When the Urge to Smoke Hits, Think H.A.L.T.
Nine times out of 10, a craving can be traced to one of these four states.
Hungry
Have a snack or a meal.
If you are hungry, food is the answer, not a cigarette.
Keep healthy snacks on hand.
Celery sticks, raw baby carrots, and frozen grapes make good low-calorie snacks.
Metabolismdoes slow a bit initially, so some daily exercise is a good idea.
Don’t be too hard on yourself.
It is normal to gain five to eight pounds while you are quitting smoking.
Quitting tobacco must be your top priority for as long as it takes.
Weight can always be lost later.
Angry
Anger is a big trigger for most of us.
Find healthy outlets for your feelings of frustration.
If at all possible, deal head-on with the situation that is bothering you and be done with it.
Talk to friends and family about your feelings or write in your journal.
The important thing is not to let anger simmer and get the upper hand.
Reaching for a cigarette can seem like a quick fix, but it is a false fix.
That way, when a situation arises, you’re prepared.
It will help you maintain control and get through it without smoking.
Remind yourself that no one has the power to affect your emotions without your approval.
You control your inner environment.
Take responsibility for how you feel, and it will empower you to control difficult emotions smoke-free.
Lonely
For most ex-smokers, loneliness may actually be boredom.
Smoking was such a regular activity that now without it, we suddenly have time to fill.
Early on in cessation,distractionis a useful tool that can help you manage feelings of boredom.
Get out for a walk, watch a movie, or work on a hobby.
Come up with a list of activities you enjoy and do some of them.
Make them fun to help you over the hump of this bang out of smoking trigger.
Depression also falls into this category.
People quitting tobacco are especially susceptible to the blues, at least early on.
Smoking wasn’t just an activity, it was also like a companion who was always there.
Leaving cigarettes behind can feel like the loss of a friend, albeit a destructive, life-stealing friend.
After years of smoking, most of us feel the loss of smoking in this way to some extent.
It was out to kill youremember that.
If you feel yourself slipping into afunk, take action.
Change your environmentbe it internal, external or bothand it will help you change your attitude.
Tired
Fatigue can be a big trigger for those who have recently quit smoking.
Don’t let yourself get run down.
Protect your quit by protecting your health, both physically and mentally.
We taught ourselves to smoke, and we can teach ourselves to live comfortably without smokes, too.
Be committed, but also c’mon be patient with yourself.
You may even wonder why you didn’t quit sooner because life without cigarettes has become natural and easy.
In the meantime, keep H.A.L.T.
