Your commitment is awesome. So we salute you and encourage you to keep coming back for more helpful ideas and advice for staying quit in the weeks and months ahead.
A couple of weeks ago, we asked you to prepare for some risky situations. After all, that's real life. You can't avoid being around smokers and smoke forever. So it's a good thing to practice.
What would be a risky situation? Going out with a friend who smokes. Or stopping to chat with the smokers standing outside your workplace.
It might help you to think about how you'll handle these situations before you face them. Remind yourself that you are avoiding cigarettes, and no matter what situation you're in, you can handle it.
You may want to start with some small steps. Then try the risky activity. Go out with that friend, but be prepared.
Over time, you may feel less stress in risky situations. And today's activity helps you reduce those risks even more, by using your inspiration.
You're well on your way — but not out of the woods yet. Now is a good time to review your Smoking Risk Situations. Have you noticed any new ones? Perhaps around a holiday or family gathering? Or during a stressful day?
Be aware of your risk situations and write them down. For each one, think about how you'll handle the situation so you don't smoke. What will divert you? What will take your mind off smoking?
Now is the time to think ahead. Try to avoid your risk situations before they happen. For instance, if you know that you used to light up after a meal, get up as soon as you're done and do something else. Use your Quit Strategies for ideas on what you can do.
Review your inspiration
Keep in mind that your inspiration can help you get through some of the rougher times.
Is it:
- A photo of your family?
- All the money you may have saved by not buying cigarettes?
- Getting your blood pressure down?
Whatever your inspiration is, it should remind you of the good things that quitting may bring to you and to the people you care about.
