Six Ways to Bring Others Into Your Quit Smoking Journey
When it comes to quitting smoking, the decision to do it rests with you and you only. But when it comes down to the nitty-gritty of the quit itself, a decision to go it alone might unnecessarily make the journey more difficult. In fact, research has shown that other people play a major role in the success rate of quitters. So if you have the opportunity, reaching out to others when you quit is a great idea. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Nominate a “quit coach”
This person will be the one you check in with on a regular basis throughout your quit. They are essentially there for support and encouragement to keep you going. It’s important that you choose someone who won’t mind communicating with you often- maybe even several times a day- because you need to feel comfortable reaching out if you get a craving, need advice or just some encouragement.
Create a quit network
An alternative to having one person as your quit coach is to create a group of folks you can reach out to for different aspects of your quit. For example, you might text one friend when you have a craving in the morning, another when you have one at lunch, and call a family member at the end of the day when you want to talk about how things are going with your quit overall.
Play the “craving game”
The game goes like this: Whenever you feel a craving, text a friend or family member and tell them you’re having one. They write you back, changing the subject to get your mind off the craving. The exchange should go on for approximately 10 minutes, which is about the amount of time a psychological craving lasts. Make sure to find someone who is good about texting back and enjoys a lengthy dialog!
Make a deal with someone
This is good to do with a spouse or someone very close to you that really wants you to quit. Make the deal that as you achieve goals during the quit, they will do something nice for you. This could be a wide range of things, from buying you an ice cream to taking you on vacation to Maui. Write down what they’ll do and put it somewhere you will see often. This fun piece of motivation should help you during the roughest times of your quit.
Engage with quit-smoking groups
If you’re the private type that likes to keep your quit to yourself yet still wants to engage with a community, a quit-smoking forum might be the way to go. A good option is the Nicorette® and NicoDerm®CQ® Facebook page, where you can read ex-smokers’ quit stories, and even share your own to help inspire others.
Join a behavioral support group
Quit-smoking resources such as MyQuit™ can be useful by helping you monitor your progress, through quit tips, strategies, and advice from experts and fellow smokers. It’s a great way to manage your cigarette cravings and change your habits. Sign up here.
