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Tobacco Cessation
Start the Journey
Keep Busy
dmtContent
Keep Busy
The first week of quitting will be easier to get through if you stay busy. Keep your hands busy. Keep yourself busy. Keep your mind busy.
This won't necessarily reduce your cravings, but it will keep your focus on other things.
Call a member of your support team and plan some evening activities in smoke-free environments.
Work out. (It's sure difficult to smoke while you're exercising.)
Keep your hands busy by reading, doing crossword puzzles or jigsaw puzzles, or by knitting, painting, etc.
Indulge in outdoor hobbies, like gardening or boating, where you can enjoy the fresh air.
This might also be a good time to learn a new activity. Keep your brain occupied with facts and figures. A new activity provides mental stimulation, making it more difficult to think about the cigarettes you yearn for.
Above all, try to avoid any activities that you associate with smoking during the first two weeks you are trying to quit.
Last updated September 14, 2011
