(HealthDay News) -- Most people who smoke know the habit is unhealthy and that quitting is the best option. But that's often easier said than done.
The American Cancer Society offers suggestions on how to make quitting a little easier, and how to stay smoke-free:
- Make a firm decision to quit. Not to try to cut back, or see if you can quit -- say you're going to do it and stick with it. Choose a date that you'll be smoke-free, and pick a smoking cessation plan that will work for you.
- Especially in the beginning, avoid places where there are other smokers or where you've frequently smoked.
- Vary your routine. Drive different routes, go for a walk instead of a smoke, or drink water or juice instead of alcohol.
- When you get a craving to smoke, keep your hands busy with activities like knitting, needlepoint or woodwork. Also try snacking on healthy, crunchy foods like carrot sticks or seeds, or even sugar-free gum.
- Breathe deeply, inhaling fresh, clean air. Inhaling as you did when smoking can help simulate that feeling of inhaling -- but you'll feel better breathing in clean air instead of smoke.
- If decide you have to smoke, make yourself wait 10 minutes. Often, by the time the 10 minutes are up, the craving has passed and you will be able to skip the cigarette.
- Save up the money you would have spent each week on cigarettes, and treat yourself to dinner or a movie, a book, CD or some other reward.
