Resolutions 2012: Quitting Smoking

Across the world, people are busily making plans for New Years Eve celebrations. For many, that night is a night to say goodbye to a year filled with successes, challenges, and difficulties. It is also a clean slate for a new year where the world is their own.

According to US studies, 40 to 45 percent of adults make resolutions each year. The most popular of those resolutions are to lose weight, get fit, drink less, manage debt, save money, get a better education, get a better job, take a trip, manage stress, volunteer to help others, and quit smoking. Statistically, 25 percent of these resolutions will come to an end within the first week. Within 6 months, 50 percent of the resolutions made will fall by the way side. That doesn't make the success rate of achieving one's resolutions high.

Albert Einstein has been accredited with, "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

You can find success in all of your resolutions, including your commitment to quit smoking.

Build a thorough plan:

• Know your options when it comes to cessation counseling, products, and alternatives.
  • In the United States, you can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to speak with a counselor skilled in combating cigarette addiction. They will discuss, in detail, a plan of action to follow on your road to achieving success.
  • Know the products available over the counter and through prescriptions to assist with smoking cessation. Bear in mind all the side effects of the products that you decide to use.
• Have a support network.
  • For married couples, the decision to quit smoking might be a joint effort. Having someone to encourage you as you reach a rough patch in the quit process is paramount. If you don't have a quit buddy, reach out to your social networks and talk openly about your desire to quit smoking, why you are having a challenging time with your quit, and ask for encouragement or suggestions. Those that know you will want the absolute best for you; including your health.
• Pick your date.
  • While you might want to jump and throw out all of your cigarettes on January 1, taking a few extra days to thoroughly plan your course of action will increase your probability of a successful quit. Many smoking cessation counselors suggest a date 2 weeks from when you begin planning to ensure you've covered all aspects and have all supplies necessary.
• Set mini-goals.
  • The great thing about achieving one small goal is that you have motivation to achieve the next in succession. Breaking down your quit plan into small, easily achievable goals, you are building momentum to achieve the remaining portion of your life without cigarettes.
• Reward yourself.
  • Some smokers will take and transfer the cost of their cigarettes into a savings account every day that they do not smoke. Those savings are then applied to rewarding themselves for achieving a healthy life change. The rewards you choose could start small and increase in value as you progress forward. No matter what you determine as rewards, it is vital that you do reward yourself.

Don't fall into the trap of insanity when it comes to quitting smoking. When your plan doesn't work, change it up! To learn more about an alternative to cigarettes that eliminates smoke and tar, check out this informative piece.