It’s October 1 and it’s not only the start of a new month but also the beginning of Stoptober.
Whether you’re a long-term smoker who’s never tried quitting before or if this is the latest attempt, Stoptober is geared towards helping people quit smoking for good.
It’s estimated that there are 6.4 million smokers in the UK, according to statistics from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).
There are proven health benefits attached to quitting smoking. Even just 20 minutes after stopping smoking, heart rates return to normal.
After eight hours, oxygen levels will start to recover and the harmful carbon monoxide level in the blood will have reduced by half.
By the end of Stoptober’s 28 days, circulation should have improved a lot. After a few months of not smoking, any coughs, wheezing or breathing problems will likely have improved as your lung function increases by up to 10 per cent.
Put simply, it’s in the best interest of your health to join in on Stoptober and quit smoking today. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Tips for quitting smoking this Stoptober
The NHS has shared some tips for quitting smoking this Stoptober. First and foremost, sharing your journey can be helpful, both in terms of getting support from those around you and holding yourself accountable.
Make a list of your reasons to quit and put it somewhere you see it to help with motivation.
Plus, if you have tried to quit before, remember what worked and put those same steps in place. That might include stop smoking aids, like gum or nicotine patches.
While Stoptober is all about quitting smoking, it’s good to have a plan of what to do if you are tempted to smoke. Do you have someone to call? How can you motivate yourself at your toughest moments?
To help prepare, list your smoking triggers and how to avoid them. Having prepared actions in place for when you know cravings will take place, like workouts or going for a wall, can help to mitigate risky scenarios.
