Tips & Hints
Starting your journey to stop smoking is a powerful step towards a healthier and more fulfilling life. At Stop For Life Sandwell, we understand that stopping can be challenging, but it's absolutely achievable.
Not only will you experience significant health benefits, but you'll also be amazed by the money you'll unlock. We're here to provide you with the tools, accountability, and encouragement you'll need to succeed.
Let's explore our top tips and hints to help you stop smoking for life.
The benefits of stopping smoking
Stop For Life Sandwell is dedicated to helping you achieve these benefits and more:
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Improved Health: Lower your risk of heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, and respiratory problems.
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Increased Energy: Feel more energetic and less fatigued as your body recovers.
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Financial Savings: Calculate how much you'll save by stopping - you'll be surprised!
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Enhanced Quality of Life: Enjoy better taste, smell, and overall well-being.
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Protecting Others: Reduce the risk of second-hand smoke exposure for your loved ones.
You will quickly start to feel the benefits of stopping smoking
We will help you to manage cravings and tackle temptations through a personalised programme that means you can have as much or as little support as you want from our expert coaches supporting you in person, over the phone or by video chat.
After 20 minutes
Check your pulse rate, it will already be starting to return to normal.
After 8 hours
Your oxygen levels are recovering, and the harmful carbon monoxide level in your blood will have reduced by half.
After 48 hours
All carbon monoxide is flushed out. Your lungs are clearing mucus and your senses of taste and smell are improving.
After 72 hours
If you notice that breathing feels easier, it's because your bronchial tubes have started to relax. Also your energy will be increasing.
After 2 to 12 weeks
Blood will be pumping through to your heart and muscles much better because your circulation will have improved.
After 3 to 9 months
Any coughs, wheezing or breathing problems will be improving as your lung function increases by up to 10%.
After 1 year
Great news! Your risk of heart attack will have halved compared to a smoker's.
After 10 years
More great news! Your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved compared with a smoker's.
Tips to quit
Stopping smoking is one of the best decisions you will ever make. You will be healthier as a result and will be amazed how much money you save. Here are our top ten tips to support you to quit:
1
Get help from our service, it is free and we will help you on your journey
2
Tell people you're quitting - they can support you and you are more likely to stick with your quit
3
Set a date to quit when you can focus on yourself and you won't have loads of temptation. Remember to add your quit date to your calendar
4
Use stop smoking aids - either nicotine replacement therapy or vapes
5
Encourage other people you live with or your friends and family to quit with you
6
Have a plan of what to do if you are tempted to smoke
7
List all your triggers to smoke and avoid them, this may mean you change your daily routine or you stop doing things that are linked to you smoking
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Keep cravings at bay by keeping busy and using your NRT or vape
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Exercise or just getting out walking is a great way to manage cravings
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Speak to your coach and to other people who are on the same journey as you