Welcome to the Simple Steps to Improved Health Challenge Day 13 Quit Smoking
Reminder to choose 1 of the first two actions to work on this week starting today or whatever day you want the week to start on for you. See Day 1 for more information about the challenge.
How Does Quitting Smoking Improve Health
There are many health and life benefits when you quit smoking. Some of the health benefits include improved lung function, healthier skin, decreased cancer risk, longer life, healthier heart, and decreased risk of disease.
Smokers have a greater risk of lung and throat cancers, emphysema, heart disease, high blood pressure, ulcers and reflux, sexual dysfunction, and kidney disease.
Some of the life benefits include saving money, no more smoky smell, food tastes better, better sex, and better sleep. You will experience an overall improvement in your quality of life.
I bet you already knew most of this so the important thing you probably want to know is how.
How to Take Action to Quit Smoking
The most important thing to do first is to determine WHY you want to quit smoking. It is very important to have that why in front of you all times of the day. Knowing and Having your WHY with you will help you to keep going on this journey.
The most important thing to understand is “You Are Worth It.” No matter what you have done in your life or when you chose to start smoking, you are worth being healthy. You are worth being healthy just because you are a person.
There are many ways to be supported if you want to quit smoking including community groups, medications, programs, and apps. There is no one way that works for all people. Review all the options available to you and choose the one that works best for your lifestyle. You will learn something from each thing you try. What is important is that you start with the thing that feels in your gut would work for you. Generally, your intuition is right.
To find available programs search for Tobacco treatment options. There are clinics that include individualized treatment plans, medications, behavioral therapy, and stress management. Ask your doctor if they have programs to suggest.
Some online groups include the
By phone, you can call the CDC quitline at 1-800-784-8669
Some treatments include prescription medications, acupuncture, hypnosis, nicotine gums, and combinations of treatments. Ask your doctor for a recommendation or referral.
Check with your health insurance. They may have a program that you can join as well.
Go Do it – Quit Smoking
1. Find Your WHY! Then speak it out loud three times every day.
2. Know you are WORTH IT. Whatever effort or cost you can have better health and are worth what it takes to get healthier. Tell Yourself you are Worth it.
3. Review programs that are available and chose one to focus on.
4. Make the phone call to get the app or enroll in the program. Then take the next step in that program. And the next step. And the next.
You Can do It!
