From the get go I do want to say this is a sponsored post but the topic is very close to my heart, albeit a little off piste from what I usually write about but please bear with me...
Stoptober. I am from a family of smokers (other than my mother who doesn't and hasn't ever smoked) and as a result I have grew to hate smoking. I loathe the smell and all that they can and will do to you.
My Granddad has recently been told that as a result of smoking when he was younger (he hasn't smoked in the last 30 years) has damaged his lungs beyond repair. He has to take various medication, has a horrid wheeze and won't ever get better. Basically don't ever be tempted to start the habit. On the flip side I also hate sob and scare stories, if you do smoke, quitting has to be your choice. What you should know is that there is support out there to help you succeed. As a matter of a fact I have been sent some advice from Boots to help anyone who should wish to stop once and for all:
Tip 1: Quit your own way When you begin your smoke free journey, it is important that you know your smoking habits and chose a time to quit that is right for you. Many people find that starting their quit journey on a Wednesday is easier than starting on a Monday.
Tip 2: Know your smoking triggers Breaking a smoking habit is difficult as it’s often a part of your daily routine and something you may tend to do without even thinking about it. However, more often than not there are factors that can trigger these habits or make you want to smoke. For some people it goes hand in hand with a night out, for others it may be part of their morning coffee routine. It is important to know what your triggers are so you can put a strong plan of action in place to help you avoid them while you are on your smoke free journey.
Tip 3: Swap smoking for a new hobby It is normal to get a little irritable when you quit smoking. Why not distract yourself by taking up a new hobby such as learning a new language, trying a new recipe or playing sport? By keeping yourself busy you are more likely to reach your smoke free goal as well as learning something new. Or you could simply get round to doing something you've been meaning to do for a while - clearing out your wardrobe, putting up a new shelf, even cleaning the windows?! Creating a list of all the things you want to do and then ticking something off that list (even the smallest thing) can you give you a great sense of achievement.
Tip 4: Don’t give up giving up Many smokers try on more than one occasion to give up cigarettes. If you have a smoking relapse, try not to be disheartened. Instead, examine what caused you to smoke again, so that you can look out for the signs and find a way to overcome this on your next attempt. Remember that giving up smoking is not easy and celebrate each day that you remain smoke free. Sometimes a visual tracker can help. Why not buy a wall planner or calendar on which you can cross off each smoke free day so you can see how well you are doing and increase your confidence in yourself? Tip 5: Reward yourself. Don’t be too hard on yourself! Giving up smoking is a huge challenge and each day that you stay smoke free is an achievement - something many people strive to achieve. In fact, 61% of smokers say quitting smoking is one of their lifetime’s ambitions so make sure your celebrate, perhaps by setting yourself small targets and treating yourself when you reach them.
If you are looking to quit I hope the above advice spurs you on but you can also find more tips and general pointers via Boots UK Stop Smoking. I wish you all the luck in the world and know that with determination anyone can quit. Just think of all that money you will save? Hello shopping splurge! There will also be an upcoming Twitter Stoptober chat in which experts will be on hand to answer any question and of course talk to those in a similar position. I am waiting on the final details (date and time) of said chat and will update as soon as I have such information.
Good luck - I know you can do it!
This is a sponsored post.
What a wonderful post- I think it is really important to have the chat with those near and dear to you about the impacts of smoking. Really tug at the heart strings :) Thanks beautiful xx
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My mum died of lung cancer 18 months ago having smoked since her early teens. My advice to people is do you really want to leave your children motherless, fatherless etc? It might sound harsh but when I see people smoking all I see is selfishness. This is the best "sponsored" post there can be, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post, I was a smoker for 15 years and has quit 3 years ago. I went cold turkey and I'm lucky to be able to do it. Most of my friends still struggle to quit till today.
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I'm lucky to come from a smoke free home but I definitely think this post will have helped a lot of smokers! It's hard to break an addiction.
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I'm a smoker and I'm glad you've done this post, as I feel not many bloggers mention smoking. I tried to quit using the NHS service at my doctors but the nurse told me to give up quitting, which was very distraught. I've bought electric cigarettes in the past but I've managed to lose both of them, but I know I need to find them again and use them more often.
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xx
I'm happy that none of my parents is smoking! Wonderful post!
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http://victressvic.blogspot.co.uk/
i also hate smokers, and i will not apologize for it. i feel that you have to hate yourself, your family and everyone around you to even start to smoke. it's gross.
ReplyDeleteI think it's so important to stop as soon as you can. You never know the damage that could be done x
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Thank you for posting this Adrienne. I had to unsubscribe from a beauty blog this week because she decided that it was a good idea to write about a vapor smokers subscription box...Smoking kills, it should be discouraged, as you are doing here. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteGreat post :) I'm actually asthmatic and have serious trouble breathing if I inhale anyone's cigarette smoke. I once had to live in a student house where the other tenants just didn't care and had to call an ambulance at one point as I was struggling to breathe at all. Smoking is rather selfish and antisocial when many other people have these problems - you could make someone seriously ill!
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Great post. I gave up smoking over a year ago and feel so much for it. I would never go back to smoking and even the slightest whiff of a cigarette now makes me feel queasy. Check out my post on quitting smoking here
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xx