How You Can Prepare to Quit Smoking

How You Can Prepare to Quit Smoking Addiction Nicotine Use How to Quit Smoking Print How You Can Prepare to Quit Smoking By Terry Martin facebook twitter Terry Martin quit smoking after 26 years and is now an advocate for those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction. Learn about our editorial policy Terry Martin Updated on September 25, 2018 Synergee / E+ / Getty Images More in Addiction Nicotine Use How to Quit Smoking After You Quit Nicotine Withdrawal Smoking-Related Diseases The Inside of Cigarettes Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Coping and Recovery A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to smoking cessation. It puts you in the drivers seat when you quit smoking and will help you get your mind geared up for the big day. Its a good idea to plan your quit date no more than a week or two ahead of time. Any more than that, and youre likely to lose momentum. An Educated Quit Is a Successful Quit Read everything you can get your hands on about nicotine addiction and what to expect as you heal from it. Also, make use of our  busy support community as well, where folks at all stages of recovery are sharing their experiences.   From what to expect when you quit smoking, to what smoking does to our health, education is a vital part of a successful quit program. It forces us to take the blinders off.  Most smokers navigate around the details of smoking-related  dangers whenever possible. Its called smokers denial, and the sooner you start looking at this addiction straight on, the quicker youll be on the road to recovery. Start a Quit Journal A  journal is a terrific  quit aid. Start it with  your list of reasons to quit smoking. Follow it  with two more lists: Rewards â€"  small rewards for making it through the day smoke-free are a good way to reinforce what you are working hard to do ... and they help offset the instant gratification we all received multiple times each day from lighting up. Simple things like a long, hot bath or having someone else do the cooking can be on this list.  Try to make them fun and relaxing/rejuvenating.Craving Busters â€" create a list of activities you can do at a moments notice when the urge to smoke surfaces.  The idea is to quickly jolt yourself out of the negative thought pattern that comes with cravings by changing your activity.  Five minutes is enough to shake a craving loose and a list of activities helps you take control fast. From there, use  your  journal to log your daily progress. Make an effort to jot down a couple of sentences about your day before you go to bed each  night.   Weeks down the road, you may have a bad day when smoking seems to be all you can think about.     Looking back in a journal at your first days will give you perspective on your progress and make it easier to not let that bad day get you down. Get a Check-Up Make an appointment with your doctor  for a physical and let him/her know that youre going to quit smoking. Its a great time to discuss quit  aids  and get advice on what product might  be best suited for you. Ask your doctor whether you might benefit from a vitamin supplement. Smoking depletes nutrients from our bodies.  A multi-vitamin can give you a head start on rebuilding your health and vitality. These simple steps will get you thinking in practical terms about quitting, as well as lining up some tools to help you manage the first days of smoking cessation more easily.