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Your First Smoke-Free Holiday Season

As you work your way through your first smoke free holiday season, you may encounter triggers to smoke that are associated with this time of year specifically. Learn what you need to know in order to how to navigate the holidays without lighting up.

More Reading:

Smoking Cessation Blog with Terry Martin

Managing Holiday Parties Smoke-Free

Monday December 21, 2009

Managing Holiday Parties Smoke-Free

Alcohol lowers inhibitions, and that's not a good thing for a person who is working to quit smoking. While under the influence of alcohol, it's common to think that smoking just one or just for tonight is okay and that we can resume our quit programs tomorrow...such has been the ruin of many a good quit program.

Look ahead at what you may be faced with when attending holiday events this year and plan a strategy to manage them smoke-free. Preparation fortifies resolve and will allow you to meet the challenges that come with confidence.

Holiday Party Tips:

  • Don't Drink. The obvious first choice is simple: Avoid alcohol entirely. Drink cranberry juice with seltzer water or another non-alcoholic beverage of choice. No one but you and the bartender will know the difference.
  • Know Your Limits. If you do drink alcohol, be careful. Limit the amount of alcohol you consume and don't overdo it. Substitute every other drink with a glass of spring water and lemon. It will dilute the alcohol you've consumed, keep you hydrated, and will give you something to sip on while socializing.
  • Plan an Escape Route. If people are smoking close by and it begins to bother you, have a plan of action in mind. Can you explain that you've recently quit smoking and ask them to refrain? If not, excuse yourself for a few minutes and go to the bathroom or step outside for some fresh air.
  • Don't Go. If you're worried about maintaining your quit program at the holiday party this year, consider simply not going. No, I'm not advocating avoiding life, I'm encouraging you to remember your priorities. Think of it this way...early on, smoking cessation takes a lot of effort and focus for most people. In order to succeed, your quit program must be in the top slot of your priority list for as long as it takes.

Smoking Cessation is a process, not an event.

Remember that release from nicotine addiction happens slowly. It lets go of us gradually -- bit by bit over time. The work it takes you to navigate this holiday season smoke-free is a necessary step in clearing old associations out and making way for new, healthy habits that don't include smoking. Keep your perspective in line with your intentions, and by the time the holidays roll around next year, smoking won't even register as a concern.

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Take The Quit Smoking Monday Pledge

Healthy Monday encourages us to think of every Monday as a day that we can begin work anew on goals that we have for ourselves. If you're still smoking, put your cigarettes down and get started on your quit program today.

We all have the ability to quit smoking successfully, and we all deserve a life that is free of addiction. Honor your life by choosing Monday as the day to start and reinforce your quit program.

You can quit smoking ... and we're here to help you, one simple Monday at a time.

Image © healthymonday.org

Smoking Cessation Weekly Newsletter

Monday December 21, 2009

Stay up-to-date with news and articles at About.com Smoking Cessation with this free weekly newsletter. It will arrive in your email box every Tuesday morning, bringing you links to new articles as well as quit smoking tips and stories of success.

Photo by Elena Buetler

Support for Your Quit Program

Monday December 21, 2009

The Smoking Cessation Forum here at About.com provides some of the best quit smoking support available anywhere on the Internet. This very active community of people quitting tobacco has new members joining daily.

You'll find answers to your questions and the support you need to quit smoking for good. Browse through and read messages as a guest, or register for free to post comments of your own.

Current Forum Discussions:

  • Does it Ever Get Better, Really?
    "It's been just over 5 days since I became a non-smoker and there have been days from hell as well as days that weren't so bad. I've read everything on this site that will help me understand this addiction and I am still really struggling. I know every piece of information I could possibly know about the subject....the terrible stories to do with health, the chemical addiction that our body has, how to cope with those cravings, situations not to put yourself into, and the list goes on. No matter what I read, I still could so easily pick one up and light it."
  • I Want to Quit...But I Don't
    "I want to quit....but I don't. I have smoked for 25 years and am only 41 years old. I quit several times but never felt like it was the "real thing". I felt that I would always return to my friend. I have tried Chantix (made me irritable), Wellbutrin (same thing) and have had some success with the patch. I would appreciate any help to move me in the permanent state of mind that I need to be in in order to succeed at quitting. I feel discouraged. I want to quit....but I don't."

Photo © Stockxpert

The First Six Smoke-Free Months

Thursday December 17, 2009

There is no better teacher than the voice of experience, and when it comes to quitting tobacco, members of the About.com Smoking Cessation forum have valuable insights to share. An important resource for the new quitter, their stories are full of practical tips about what works when we quit smoking and the benefits we might expect to enjoy.

The personal quit stories I've selected to share here focus on the first six months of smoking cessation. While the journey to quit smoking is a personal one, many of us face similar challenges early on. Learning how others have managed sets us up to overcome the issues we might encounter successfully.

Settle in and do some reading -- these real life success stories are sure to inspire, and if you're still smoking, motivate you to embark on your own journey to freedom from nicotine addiction.

Reader Contributions:

Image © Stockxpert

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