Staying Stopped | Hard Times
...Stay away from what tempts you...
If you have been smoking for a while, it will probably have become a habit and there will be a pattern to when you have your cigarettes. You need to identify these times so that you can plan other ways of handling the most difficult times.
Refer to your plan to see when these times are or download a new one.
Survival Tips: These are the most common times when people struggle - see if our tips can help you to get through them.
| Temptation | Survival Tips |
|---|---|
| Mealtimes | During the meal concentrate on the food or the conversation. At the end of the meal instead of staying at the table and lighting up get up and go for a walk or brush your teeth. |
| Driving | Try doing something else. Take a new route, try a new radio station, play a new CD or even take the bus or train. Take the ashtray and lighter out of the car or use the ashtray to keep potpourri in. (This will help to keep car smelling nice too) |
| Socialising | Try going to new places, especially those where smoking isn't allowed including the hundreds of restaurants, coffee shops and pubs across Norfolk. |
| Watching TV | Sit in a different chair. Try sipping a drink slowly or even chewing a sugar free gum. Get up and move around during the breaks. |
| On the phone | Keep a list of your reasons for stopping near the phone. Keep reminding yourself of why you are giving up as you talk. |
| Being with others who still smoke | Try to stay away from them as much as you can. Stand or sit as far away as possible. Ask friends and family not to smoke in front of you or in the house. |
| Drinking Alcohol | Reduce or cut out your alcohol intake if it gives you the urge to light-up. Space the alcoholic drinks out with soft ones such as juice or water. |
Why not take a look at the Staying Stopped pages:
Coping with Cravings & Setbacks
Cravings only last a few minutes - learn how to cope with them
Relaxation Tips
Tips and hints to keep you stress free
Hard Times
Tips and hints to get you through those extra difficult times
Worried About Gaining Weight?
Dispel the myth and get ideas to help you