Stopping Smoking Cigarettes new Years Resolution
Choosing a date is helpful for some people who want to stop smoking. New Year’s Day works well because it symbolizes new beginnings and offers the tradition of new Year’s resolutions. These tips can help you stop smoking cigarettes in 2011 as a New Year’s resolution.
Decide to quit. New Year’s Day falls on a Saturday in 2011, and most people will have a 2 or 3 day weekend without the stress of everyday activities and work. You can use this to your advantage if you select this as your target day to start quitting. If you need more time to plan for the quitting day, select another date as soon as possible. For women troubled by premenstrual syndrome, choose a date immediately after your period.
Let your body and mind heal while quitting. Retreating from the world by taking long baths, naps, a walk around the block, reading a book, meditating are all strategies that can help distract you from the symptoms of withdrawal. Help your body get the nicotine out of your system by drinking plenty of water, and eating fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fiber-filled foods. Munching on carrots, apples and celery occupies the hands and mouth.
When a craving hits, try changing activities. Dance, hop, walk, stretch. Muscle movement can distract your mind and ease the craving. Try deep breathing alternated with holding your breath.
Involve family and friends. Tell everyone you plan to stop smoking in 2011 as a New Year’s resolution. Ask them to hold you accountability to your resolution. Arrange to pay a fine if they catch you smoking. Five to ten dollars can be a powerful motivator for some people. If your partner or other family member smokes, encourage the person to stop with you. Misery loves company. If the other smoker refuses, insist that they not smoke around you.
Change the daily habits associated with smoking. Identify the times and places where you are most likely to smoke and make changes. You may need to eat at a different time for a few days, sit in a different chair, rearrange your schedule or your furniture so that cravings cannot sneak up on you and lush you into old habits. Find a new way to end a meal.
Set short-term quitting goals. Begin with making it through an hour, then an afternoon, then a day. Once you have made it through a couple days, aim for a week. Set aside the money you would have spent on cigarettes and choose how you will spend the money in a month. Look for activities that focus the hands and mind, such as computer games, cards, puzzles, knitting or sewing.
Avoid substituting one addiction for another. Don’t indulge in heavy drinking of alcohol, beverages with caffeine, other stimulants or mood altering substances.
If stopping smoking cigarettes in 2011 can’t begin on new Year’s Day, try a slowdown. Smoke half a cigarette and put it out; postpone the first cigarette of the morning as long as you can. Smoke only in disgusting places - by garbage cans; in a cluttered or cold garage. Place butts in a large glass jar with some water and don't empty it until it is stuffed with cigarette butts and dark oily liquid. Think of your lungs when you look at this.
Stopping smoking cigarettes in 2011 is an important New Year’s resolution that may help you have many more years to make other New Year’s resolutions.
