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Hints and Tips to Stop Smoking

 tips
 
 

  1. Don’t go it alone! You can get professional help and support, visit the 'Help near you' button to see where in your community you can access help and support from the free NHS Sheffield Stop Smoking Service

  2. Do your research! Find out more about what giving up smoking is like, through this website or through talking to other ex-smokers. You’ll find it’s not half as bad as you think it may be, as long as you approach it the right way, with help and support, and with the enthusiasm to succeed

  3. Decide why you want to stop! There are millions of reasons why you may want to stop, and they’re your own reasons, no-one can tell you why you should stop. If you make a list of all the reasons why you want to stop, you’ll set yourself a goal and a reason for quitting. The 'Health effects' page on this website should give you some good ideas to start with

  4. Think of what you’ll achieve! Quitting smoking has no end of benefits, from improved health, to more cash in your pocket, to greater levels of fitness. Think about all the things you’ll be able to do and have as a non-smoker, as well as the sense of pride in what you have achieved

  5. Choose a date! One of the first things that will help you quit is to set a date, so you are mentally and emotionally prepared to stop. This way you will give stopping your full commitment, rather than not taking it too seriously

  6. Avoid the forbidden fruit! Once you have stopped, you may need to change your routine a little at first to make sure you avoid situations where you would usually smoke

  7. Tell people you’ve given up! When you talk about it, people will give you the support and encouragement that you need, and the praise you deserve

  8. Don’t relapse! “Just one won’t hurt” is a myth – you need to remain smoke free to really benefit from stopping smoking. Keep positive and strong to fight the temptation to smoke – you don’t want to lose everything you’ve achieved in a single moment of weakness

    When you stop smoking, having the support of someone who you live with can help loads; especially if they also decide to quit at the same time. It's much easier to quit if you do it together

  9. If other people around you are still smokers, you could ask them to support your decision to quit by not offering you cigarettes

  10. Decide that you'll treat yourself as a reward for stopping smoking. With all the money you are saving why not treat yourself to a reward such as an activity you've always wanted to do

  11. Get up from the table as soon as you finish eating. Start washing up or go outside for a walk. After a meal is when many people have thier strongest cravings

  12. To deal with stress do something active that moves your muscles. Do some stretches, walk around, jump up and down, or tackle some outstanding housework

  13. The Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service Advisors will have so many other hints and tips and support to keep you going. Call 0800 068 4490 or visit the 'Help near you' page on this site to find out about one-to-one or group support available in your community