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Summer is So Much Better Without Tobacco

Lisyuri Gallardo

From all the things you want to do in summer, is one of them quitting tobacco? Or was this goal your new year’s resolution? Maybe your New Year’s resolution to quit smoking melted away faster than the snowman in the front yard.

The truth about breaking habits is that we may try the new diet for a few weeks, the smoking cessation program for a few days and spend a little time searching the online job ads. At least for 80% of Americans fail to keep or resolve their resolutions because the goals are too broad or unrealistic. Something broad can be “I am going to smoke less,” something more specific can be “I am going to smoke one cigarette less a week”. There is good news, for those that are trying, because people who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t explicitly make resolutions. May is a great time to set new realistic and attainable goals. Summer time can give an added boost to quitters' motivation, a critical element in whether or not people will be successful.

University of Stirling public health scientist Professor Linda Bauld says :"Studies over the last decade show that one of the single biggest factors in predicting whether someone will stop smoking is how motivated they are. A Summer deadline can give a bit of extra motivation." Motivation and SMART goals can be your path to success. SMART stands for

o             Specific – target a specific area for improvement.

o             Measurable – quantify an indicator of progress that can be measurable.

o             Attainable – You must possess the appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to achieve the goal.

o             Realistic – state what results can realistically be achieved, given available resources.

o             Time-related – specify when the result(s) can be achieved.

https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/smoking-cessation/stage-three-preparing-to-be-tobacco-free4.htm