Is Quitting Smoking Your New Year's Resolution?
What a great idea!
Quitting smoking as a new year's resolution gives you something to look forward to, it helps to you brin in the new year with a new you (perhaps allowing you the chance to make up for lost time!), and you can be proud of yourself because you are finally making a good decision!
But is it such a good idea?
Before I became a quit smoking specialisy I had partners and friends who said that they would quit smoking as their new year's resolution. And it was great, we all thought ok this is it ... finally going to quit smoking. No more wasting money, no more self-damage and no more putting it off. Determination was strong, we were ready and just before midnight they would have their last cig, and we thought - this is it!
But it wasn't, first there was a problem at work or some sort of minor crisis. Then life was too stressful and we'd wait till the middle or end of january when we weren't so low on cash. And so on, and before we knew it it would be march and my friend or partner was once again too stressed!
Does this look or sound familiar?!
It's a great idea to stop smoking but deciding to do it for your new year's resolution can actually turn round and bite you in the back side! The problem is that many smokers put themselves under too much pressure when they decide to quit and believe that there is a 'right / perfect / best time' to quit smoking. Are you in this group?
It's actually a mistake to think that just because we are bringging in a new year, you should quit. It's more important to ask yourself if you really want to quit. So do you?!!
If you do then that's great, but try not to stumble into the pitfall that is putting your last cigarette out before midnight on December 31st and then waking up hungover or not feeling quite yourself and then 'accidentally' smoking a few cigarettes. Followed by 'oh, today is my last day...I'll have my last one tonight.'
This really hurts your effort to stop smoking! You're putting yourself under undue pressure and you are almost forcing yourself to do it - because it's your new year's resolution.
The best thing you can do is wait and set a date a week or two into January. Firstly, it avoids the problems above. Secondly, you're not making the decision on impulse. And thirdly, you are over any holiday season stress and you have not spen the the two to three weeks during the holidays agonising about how difficult it will be.
This way your approach is much more relaxed, you are not making any excuses and therefore feeling guilty and you know that you are making the decision for the sake of it.
And also remember that there is never a 'good /right / perfect' time to stop smoking. Life is full of stress and problems, so any time you decide to stop smoking will no doubt involve some form or stress or other.
When you know how to deal with this and can prepare for any situaiton thoroughly, you will be ready to stop smoking stress, hassle and guilt free.
Try not to stress yourself if you're decding to stop smoking and happy holidays!
Quitting smoking as a new year's resolution gives you something to look forward to, it helps to you brin in the new year with a new you (perhaps allowing you the chance to make up for lost time!), and you can be proud of yourself because you are finally making a good decision!
But is it such a good idea?
Before I became a quit smoking specialisy I had partners and friends who said that they would quit smoking as their new year's resolution. And it was great, we all thought ok this is it ... finally going to quit smoking. No more wasting money, no more self-damage and no more putting it off. Determination was strong, we were ready and just before midnight they would have their last cig, and we thought - this is it!
But it wasn't, first there was a problem at work or some sort of minor crisis. Then life was too stressful and we'd wait till the middle or end of january when we weren't so low on cash. And so on, and before we knew it it would be march and my friend or partner was once again too stressed!
Does this look or sound familiar?!
It's a great idea to stop smoking but deciding to do it for your new year's resolution can actually turn round and bite you in the back side! The problem is that many smokers put themselves under too much pressure when they decide to quit and believe that there is a 'right / perfect / best time' to quit smoking. Are you in this group?
It's actually a mistake to think that just because we are bringging in a new year, you should quit. It's more important to ask yourself if you really want to quit. So do you?!!
If you do then that's great, but try not to stumble into the pitfall that is putting your last cigarette out before midnight on December 31st and then waking up hungover or not feeling quite yourself and then 'accidentally' smoking a few cigarettes. Followed by 'oh, today is my last day...I'll have my last one tonight.'
This really hurts your effort to stop smoking! You're putting yourself under undue pressure and you are almost forcing yourself to do it - because it's your new year's resolution.
The best thing you can do is wait and set a date a week or two into January. Firstly, it avoids the problems above. Secondly, you're not making the decision on impulse. And thirdly, you are over any holiday season stress and you have not spen the the two to three weeks during the holidays agonising about how difficult it will be.
This way your approach is much more relaxed, you are not making any excuses and therefore feeling guilty and you know that you are making the decision for the sake of it.
And also remember that there is never a 'good /right / perfect' time to stop smoking. Life is full of stress and problems, so any time you decide to stop smoking will no doubt involve some form or stress or other.
When you know how to deal with this and can prepare for any situaiton thoroughly, you will be ready to stop smoking stress, hassle and guilt free.
Try not to stress yourself if you're decding to stop smoking and happy holidays!
posted by Daniel Fargher at
4:05 PM
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