As a smoker myself, I have never found the right time to quit smoking. It never feels like the right time, we often find some excuses, we try to push the deadline of the “last” cigarette. However, anytime I am traveling, I barely feel the need to smoke and feel like I can quit smoking on vacation. As I had conversation with friends about it, it doesn’t seem like I am the only one feeling this. I also believe that ‘New Year’s Resolutions don’t work. However, build systems instead is more efficient. Starting new habits during holidays might give you better chance to quit smoking as it will show you that a new routine without cigarettes is possible.
Holidays might be the best time to start a new cigarette-free routine. Read more about the transition to quit smoking on vacation or at least, make the transition to quit easier.
- REMEMBER: THE BEST TIME IS NOW!
You might think that smoking calms you down, but it actually does the opposite. When you smoke, your body produces adrenaline, which raises your blood pressure and heart rate.
You can change the way you react to stress. Instead of reaching for a cigarette, find other ways to cope.
- Go on a walk
- Talk to someone or try deep breathing.
- Take up a new hobby or continue with existing ones so you have time out for yourself.
These things can help you feel good:
- Eating good meals at regular times
- While being on holidays, it is THE time to relax. Get enough slee!
- Doing things for others
Alcohol can weaken your resolve to stop smoking. Most smokers associate drinking with smoking. Don’t get so drunk that you forget you’re trying to quit. It’ll be hard at first, but it will get easier I can assure you. Also, If you’re around people who are smoking, move away until you feel in control. Look for people who aren’t smoking or ask your family and friends to not give you any cigarettes.
To help you cope in social situations, you could:
- Cut down the amount you drink during the first few weeks of stopping smoking
- Try a new cocktail
- When you feel like smoking, blow in your straw. This might sounds weird at first, but most smoker associate the gestures more than the act of smoking itself.
Your normal habits and routines might make you want to smoke, especially if cigarettes were a part of your routine. A vacation isn’t exactly where you’re going to develop a new day-to-day, but it could be a smart place to start integrating new things to do in your routine. Brainstorm on what you want to replace with smoking, giving this vacation a test period to try new stuff.
These tips will help distract you:
- Brush your teeth and use mouthwash first thing in the morning
- Instead of smoking after lunch, brush your teeth again, or have a big glass of water!
- If you’re used to smoking with a tea or coffee, hold your cup in a different hand
- If you’re used to smoking on the phone, try sugarless gum instead
- Change your routine before bed – go to bed early, have a bath or read a book
- Discover “the world”, escape the city and walk in green areas
When quitting smoking on vacation, it makes things easier if you have an alternative tobacco product to use just in case. While quitting cold turkey is admirable, that’s not always safe, with many smokers eventually going back to smoking simply because they were putting themselves in a mental state they weren’t prepared for. Instead, having a smokeless, tobacco-less product is a wise choice, giving you the freedom and flexibility to ease into a healthier lifestyle.
It can be easy to get irritable without smoking on vacation. For this reason, it’s smart to readjust where your head is at before you leave; for example, asking yourself why you smoke? What drew you to it? How has that relationship since you started? Why do you want to quit? And most importantly, what do you look forward to out of nonsmoker’s lifestyle? Answering these can help drive your thinking to a healthier place to tackle quitting on vacation. It is all about your mindset and your goal(s).
When you quit smoking, you’re also giving yourself the opportunity to explore new hobbies and interests. Budget all the money you are going to save from the moment you stop smoking. Things that were once too expensive or not worth the money might now be more appealing to you, such as taking a class or joining a club. This is the birth of a new opportunity to learn about yourself.
Take this vacation to get back in touch with yourself, learning what exactly you’ve been missing out on from smoking all those years.
When your vacation is over, it can be easy to resort to old habits. To avoid this, remember that right now is the opportunity to define ‘a new normal’ for yourself. This means the new and improved you can start shining on your peers, embracing a new lifestyle that you didn’t know was possible. As your vacation can be a great crutch to helping you transition into a smoke-free life, it’s important to remember that you’re in this for the long haul. Also, don’t hesitate to read forums and get advice from people who have been through the same situation as you.
If you are interested in reading more about the benefits of traveling, read my previous blog post on: How does traveling make you a better person?
