Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the world, but 34.3 million Americans ages 18 and older still smoke. The highly addictive substances in cigarettes make the habit hard to break, but quitting is possible for everyone. Once you do, you’ll feel better and more easily maintain overall health and wellness. Take control of your preventative care by following these tips to help you quit for good.

Do:

Ease into it.

If you try to quit “cold turkey,” you may set yourself up for failure. Instead, try nicotine replacement treatments, like patches or gum, to help make the transition a little easier. As you continue on your journey to quit, you’ll rely on these substitutes less and less.

Find your “why.”

Understanding your motivation for quitting can help you keep going when stress or cravings get tough. When you have an urge to smoke, bring your focus back to your personal “why” to recenter yourself. If your reason is your children or family, give them a call or send them a message when you’re having a hard time.

Don’t:

Think a slip-up is a failure.

The path to success is not a straight line. There may be times when you have a slip-up, and that’s okay. When this happens, don’t beat yourself up; promise yourself to do better the next day.

Go it alone.

A strong support system can help make the journey to a smoke-free life much easier. See if your local hospital or primary care clinic offers preventative care classes or smoking groups for people who are trying to quit. When you find a friend in the same situation, you can hold each other accountable.

Kick your smoking habit with help from the caring, professional staff at Santiam Hospital in Stayton, OR. Whether you need preventative care, wellness assistance, or emergency attention, they specialize in a wide range of treatments and procedures to get you back on your feet. With short wait times in an intimate, personal setting, patients feel like family while getting the care they need. View their available preventative care services online or call (503) 769-2175 to learn more about their classes and events.