You can Stop Smoking! Rule1/4

Rule 1. Give yourself as much momentum as possible!

Most attempts to give up smoking are done in secret, that is until the anxiety and anguish felt finally overflows into relationships and outward behaviours. Like a kettle letting off steam, emotions blow, and boy don't we know it, and everyone around us too.

So what just happened? Why is this typical behaviour of someone in the throws of giving up smoking?

Why? Because most attempts to stop smoking are done in secret. But why would someone want to keep it a secret? The devil is in the detail here, if everyone knows you are giving up smoking and you faulter at any point, your failure is public, your humiliation adds to your anxieties and you suffer from
more stressers. Whether you are aware of it or not the main reason for smoking is that it dumbs down your experience of stress. So by stopping smoking (taking away your stress relief) you become more susceptible to stress.

The words 'vicious circle' comes to mind here, and rightly so!. So how can you reduce the stress of giving up smoking? The first thing to do is choose not to keep it a secret. This actually reduces the stress associated with it. The people around you become aware, making them more sympathetic and tolerant. If you don't believe this will be the case, make a simple request to them.

Read this paragraph first and fill in the blanks, then say to them," I have decided to quit smoking because I (fill in what your reasons are here) I am aware that I may experience these behaviours/reactions (fill in the way you feel you may react) therefore I need you to be more or less (fill in your requests here) then ask them if they can do that for you.

Ok it may not be possible to approach all the people in your life in this way, but try it with those immediately in your environment, partners, family, work colleagues.

The second part of this first rule is to pick a time when stopping will be less stressful, ie a long weekend, vacation, but certainly not a time that you associate with stress like Christmas, moving house, getting married etc. Yes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.. But remember! 'the devil is always in the detail'

The momentum you gain by adopting these rules will propel you forward, an inner resolve and confidence, unlike anything you have experienced before, will be added to your tool kit for life.

Kevin Webster