5 Steps to Quit Smoking
Smoking can be detrimental to heart health and is one of the risk factors for heart attacks, so it’s important to quit smoking as a part of your heart attack recovery. Here are five tips from the American Heart Association to make your smoking cessation as smooth as possible.
As with any major health change, you should always consult with your physician before making a radical shift. Tell your doctor that you plan on quitting smoking, so that they can offer resources and support. Your doctor may determine if you need medication or other assistance to quit successfully, says the AHA.
“ It might sound silly, but finding a new hobby that occupies your hands can be a great help in the smoking cessation process ”
The AHA recommends picking a specific day that you plan to stop using tobacco products. You can call this your “Quit Day” and put it on your calendar so you don’t forget. It may also be helpful to tell friends or family members the date of your Quit Day (or invite them to it on your digital calendar) so they can help hold you accountable and support you.
The Quit Day isn’t everything. There will be many days after that where you may be tempted to reconsider smoking or using other tobacco products. The AHA recommends making a plan for after your Quit Day—this can include having healthy snacks in your home or scheduling fun ways to fill your day when you might be tempted to smoke. Putting some movies, workouts, or visits with friends on your schedule will help fill the time.
Having tobacco products around your home will only make it more difficult to quit. The AHA recommends removing every single product from your home, office, car, or anywhere else they might tempt you. This includes things like matches, lighters, and ashtrays, which may remind you of smoking.
It might sound silly, but finding a new hobby that occupies your hands can be a great help in the smoking cessation process. Some examples the AHA provides are knitting, woodworking, painting, or playing an instrument. You might find a new activity that you love, which can be a big relief in this potentially stressful time.
All the information contained in this website is intended for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Inclusion of specific information is not considered an endorsement of any organization or content, nor do we believe that this website is comprehensive of all the sources related to heart health. Readers are encouraged to consult other sources and talk with their healthcare provider to obtain further information and personal treatment advice.
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