It only takes 20 minutes for your health to start to improve when you quit smoking as your heart rate decreases and within a day the level of carbon monoxide you breath out will also decrease dramatically.
Making the decision to quit can be a big deal and is different for everyone. Here’s a few tips to give yourself the best chance of success.
Set a quit date
By setting a date you can plan to avoid any social events that might make it difficult and give yourself time to plan how you will quit and throw away any cigarettes and lighters before the day.
Begin cutting down
If setting a quit date isn’t working for you, try beginning with a cut-down approach and speak with your doctor or health care professional about using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to support your efforts.
Make a list of your triggers
If there are places or situations where you usually smoke or find it difficult to avoid, make a list of these – for example while drinking or after a meal – so you can plan changes to your routine and habits to avoid them and replace them with healthier habits.
Organise a support team
This could be friends, family or work mates that might encourage and support you. Speak with your doctor or call a quit smoking service like Quitline on 13 78 48 to help you plan your approach and support you to quit.
Plan your rewards
Other than the health benefits, another advantage of quitting is the money you will save. Smokers who spend $100 weekly on cigarettes will save $5,000 a year by quitting. Plan some short-term rewards and save for a long-term reward like a holiday to celebrate your success.
Make the most of your Phoenix Health Extras cover
Most Phoenix Health Extras covers include benefits for approved quit smoking programs. Reach out to our team via email at [email protected] or give us a call on 1800 028 817 to find out more and check your eligibility.
