You've decided that you’re committed to quit – which is a big step. Now we’ll help you with the tools you need to follow through with that commitment. Before you learn to cope and develop strategies for cravings, you need to learn three key things about yourself:
1. When you regularly smoke (times of day)
2. Where you are when you smoke (at work, watching TV, with friends, when you are drinking alcohol, etc.)
3. Who you smoke with (work mates, with your partner or spouse, friends, etc.)
Understanding when, where and who you smoke with will help you:
• Prepare for cravings.
• Be alert to triggers that might get you to smoke or chew again.
• Substitute other methods of coping with stress or anger.
The best way to keep track of your habit is by keeping a Cravings Diary. Most people don’t pay close attention to how much, where, and who they smoke or chew. They basically feel that they simply smoke when they feel like it.
But smoking is a habit, and as we know, breaking habits can be tough. Breaking a habit that you’re addicted to is particularly tough.
But why should you keep close track of your habit with a Cravings Diary? Well, because by getting to know your habit you’ll be able to anticipate for when, where and why you’ll get cravings - or very strong withdrawal symptoms. For at least a little while, you need to do your best to avoid, stay away (or sometimes stay very, very far away) from these people or situations.
When, where and why did you smoke most?
Ashley, Health Educator
