One of the single best things you can do for your health is quit smoking. UCHealth can help and offers several smoking cessation programs.
You can also ask your primary care physician for help and ideas to quit smoking.
Here’s some advice on how to get started:
- Set a quit date. Today is a great day to start.
- Tell your family and friends you plan to quit. It’s important to tell those you love that you plan to quit – they can help you by providing moral support.
- Anticipate and plan for challenges. The urge to smoke is short — usually only 3 to 5 minutes. Healthy coping choices to get you through:
- Drinking water
- Taking a walk or climbing the stairs
- Listening to a favorite song or playing a game
- Calling or texting a friend
- Remove cigarettes and other tobacco from your home, car and workplace. Get rid of everything – old cigarette odors can cause cravings.
- Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about quitting options. Nicotine patches, gum, or other approved quit medicines may help with cravings.
*Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention