Our free stop smoking programme – Break the Habit – is designed to support Erdington and Sutton Coldfield smokers on their journey to a healthier life.

It’s easy to register and you will benefit from tailored support for a period of up to six-weeks. You can choose your own quit date and will be guided to successfully achieve it

Quitting smoking is one of the biggest and best decisions you’ll ever make.

When it comes to stopping smoking the key thing is to find healthy alternatives to your filter-tip little friend. The NHS has its own guidelines but here are a few suggestions we think can help you replace the physical and emotional routines that are tied to a cigarette.

Quick Fixes and the Three D’s

When a powerful craving hits, you should focus on what is commonly known as the three D’s to help you get through the moment and allow the cravings to pass.

Deep Breath: Take 10 slow, deep breaths. This will calm your nervous system and give your lungs the clean air they need.

Drink: Slowly sip a nice cold glass of water.

Distraction: The moment you feel cravings building, get up, move around, an activity that takes your mind onto something new..

Replace Hand-to-Mouth 

One of the toughest parts of quitting is losing the physical habit of bringing a cigarette up to your mouth. There are some amazing products out there to help you.

With Break the Habit, everyone who registers receives free tools for quitting which can include Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and a Stop Smoking Kit which features a unique smoking necklace, a sensory aid to help you cope with the habit, especially during challenging moments.

Here a few extra suggestions to help you along the way.

Chewing: Get your mouth engaged with sugar-free gum, sweets, carrots, celery sticks.

Props: Keep your hands busy with a pen, your mobile phone, a stress ball.

Natural: Substitute your smoke-and-hot drink ritual for a herbal tea.

Mind and Body

Smoking is often the easiest way people deal with stress or boredom. Learning new ways of dealing with your anxiety and keeping engaged and stimulated are crucial.

Move: Whether it’s a brisk walk, a few stretches or cleaning the house, exercise not only reduces stress but also releases endorphins the body’s natural mood boosters.

Engage: Find a distracting activity, a simple task that requires you to be focussed and creates enjoyment.

Mindfulness: Sit alone in a quite space to deflect the craving and make you feel calm and relaxed.

 The Reward

On your journey to quitting smoking, you should be your biggest cheerleader. Don’t underestimate it, stopping smoking is a massive achievement.

So why not put the money you would have spent on each packet of cigarettes into a jar and use it to treat yourself to a weekend break or some nice new clothes?

Remember to be patient, some days will be easier than others and if you do have a blip, don’t worry, that’s all part of the journey, learn from the moment and move on  by reminding yourself why you are doing this and the benefits you will get – healthier lungs, more energy, more money in your pocket.

For more details and to register click HERE