Quit and Stay Quit Monday to Stop Smoking

Quit and Stay Quit Monday to Stop Smoking Addiction Nicotine Use How to Quit Smoking Print Quit and Stay Quit Monday Reinforce Your Commitment to Quit Smoking By Terry Martin facebook twitter Terry Martin quit smoking after 26 years and is now an advocate for those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction. Learn about our editorial policy Terry Martin Updated on June 24, 2019 Monday Campaigns More in Addiction Nicotine Use How to Quit Smoking After You Quit Nicotine Withdrawal Smoking-Related Diseases The Inside of Cigarettes Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Coping and Recovery The Day to Make a Fresh Start... Monday is the day of the week that just about all of us associate with new beginnings. We start work on improving our lives on Mondays  and get back on track if weve strayed off plan on Mondays, too. Whether were trying to lose weight, get more exercise or quit smoking, Monday is the day that we usually choose to set those plans in motion. Part of the Healthy Monday Campaign, Quit and Stay Quit Monday? puts focus on using Monday to check in on our progress with cessation, or recommit to quitting tobacco if weve relapsed. Along with the American Cancer Society and numerous other organizations, Verywell.com Smoking Cessation supports the Quit and Stay Quit Monday program with information and support to help you put smoking in the past, permanently. Making Progress, One Monday at a Time Nicotine addiction lets go of us gradually. Taking stock of how far youve come with smoking cessation every Monday will reinforce your determination to stay the course and stick with it until smoking loses its appeal and becomes something you used to do. Resources to Reinforce Smoking Cessation: Smoking Cessation Support ForumConnect with others who are working through the ups and downs of recovery from nicotine addiction too.Create a Quit Smoking JournalA great way to see your progress is by jotting notes in your journal at the end of each smoke-free day. Its also a useful tool for the bad days that are bound to happen every now and then. A bit of time reading how you felt three weeks or three months ago allows you to see how far youve come.Quit Smoking 101 - Lessons to Help You Stop SmokingThe 10 pages included in this online set of lessons will walk you through preparing for your quit day and how to manage after you stub out that last cigarette.  Plenty of ex-smoker success stories are included, as well. Relapse Resources: The Psychology of a Smoking RelapseRecognizing the warning signs and risky behaviors that usually precedes a smoking relapse will help you nip problems in the bud before any harm is done.How Do I Recover from a Smoking Relapse?A reader asks: I quit smoking 4 months ago and have done very well. Lately, though, Ive been missing smoking a little. All of a sudden and without warning, I found myself unable to control the urge to smoke. The next thing I knew, I found a cigarette and lit it. How do I get back on track?How to Recover From a Smoking RelapseUnhealthy thoughts of smoking that are left unchecked can lead to a smoking relapse quickly.No Such Thing as Just One CigaretteThoughts of smoking just one cigarette have been the ruin of many good quitting efforts. Its important for you to realize ahead of time that these mental contortions are a normal part of the recovery process. A little preparation will keep you in the drivers seat when your mind starts to wander and smoking seems lik e a good option. Time and Patience Remember that smoking cessation is a process of gradual release from nicotine addiction over time. We all heal at different rates, so dont rush yourself and dont compare your progress with anyone else. It takes as long as it takes for you. Patience with the ProcessThere is No Substitute for Time Do use Monday as the day you check in with yourself  and do use Monday as a day to reinforce your commitment to smoking cessation. If youve relapsed, use Monday as a day to begin anew. We all have what it takes to quit smoking successfully. Believe that, believe in yourself and be willing to make it happen....one Monday at a time.