Many of us know from first-hand experience that quitting smoking is hard! However, there are plenty of ways to set yourself up for long term success and stop smoking for good.
There are many benefits to quitting smoking traditional cigarettes - deciding to quit, and when is the first step in this journey!
If you’re ready to take this initial step, e-cigarettes or vapes can be invaluable tools in helping you quit. Check out our deals and buy E-Liquids online to find out just how effective vaping can be as a quitting aid.
When Should You Quit Smoking?
Is there a perfect time to quit smoking, and if so, when?
Ultimately, there is no ‘perfect’ time to quit - if you are committed to stopping smoking, why not bite the bullet and quit as soon as possible?
It’s no secret that cigarettes are incredibly harmful to our bodies. Quitting sooner rather than later will help you start seeing improvements to your overall health more quickly as your body will have to repair less damage.
Although there may be no right or perfect time, there are still numerous factors to consider if you’d prefer to set an exact date for when you quit.
Deciding on a Date
When you commit to any kind of change, setting clear goals is a great way to keep you motivated and focused on the future.
Deciding on a concrete date that will be the beginning of your journey to quit can be one of the best ways to kickstart your decision. Setting a date will also give you a bit of time to research what to expect and tips on quitting for good.
The Best Times to Quit
Many find that setting a date that represents a fresh start like the New Year or a Monday make good dates to quit. The idea of a fresh start or blank slate can be particularly motivating.
Other good times to quit include meaningful dates like your own or a loved one’s birthday, as it ties your decision to quit with feelings of celebration.
Global movements that promote quitting smoking can also be brilliant times to quit. Feeling like you’re going through the same challenges with many others can give you additional support and motivation.
VApril is one such movement that’s dedicated to supporting smokers as they make the transition to vaping. Throughout April, the organisation aims to spread awareness and information about the benefits of vaping when quitting smoking.
The Stoptober campaign is another movement that promotes quitting smoking and provides valuable support.
Less Ideal Times to Quit
In general, whenever you decide to quit is a good time to quit! However, there are some times where you may benefit from postponing your quitting date a little.
Try to avoid quitting around times of stress. Stress can make quitting more difficult and have you craving cigarettes more than usual. If you know work is going to be unusually stressful over the next few weeks or are expecting a particular life event, it can help to give yourself some extra time to quit.
Quitting will take a lot of focus, so give yourself enough time when you won’t be facing any additional stressors.
Preparing For When You Quit
If you’ve set your quit date for the near future, take some time between then and now to prepare and set yourself up for success before you begin the journey.
Get Informed
Read some accounts of other smokers and their successful quitting stories. This will give you some insight into what to expect and will help remind you that you are not alone in the challenges you face.Look up what you can expect in the first couple of hours and days after quitting so you’ll be prepared for the immediate effects.
Our blog below gives a handy overview of the things that will happen when you stop smoking, covering the immediate effects after not smoking for 20 minutes to the long term health benefits 10 years later!
Knowing what to expect and being reminded of the health benefits you’ll see can be excellent motivating forces, preventing you from falling back into old habits.
Seek Support
Social support can be incredibly valuable. Quitting with a friend can be another great motivator as you support each other through the journey and remind one another why you want to quit.
The NHS also facilities Stop Smoking Services that provide support groups and expert advice to make your decision to quit a permanent change.
Nicotine Replacement Tools
Quitting is so hard because nicotine is highly addictive. On its own, nicotine is a relatively harmless substance - it is the other harmful chemicals in cigarettes that make them so dangerous.
So, nicotine replacement tools can be invaluable as they’ll help you manage your nicotine cravings and make you less likely to turn back to cigarettes.
Nicotine replacement can come in many forms, including patches, gum and vaping. Vaping has been shown to be a brilliantly successful quitting tool as it not only provides the necessary nicotine hit but also replicates the smoking experience, catering to the habit as well as the reliance on nicotine.
Vaping with E-Liquids does not expose you to the harmful chemicals present in cigarettes and is a much healthier way to satisfy your nicotine cravings.
To find out everything you need to know about starting vaping, check out our ultimate beginner’s guide below!
Why not begin your journey to quit smoking today? If you’re committed to quitting and want to make the transition to vaping, we can help!
Take a look at our starter kits and range of E-Liquid deals to get started on the road to long term success as you quit smoking.
