Ways to avoid your smoking triggers

The festive period can be difficult, especially when you would normally reach for a cigarette but are now smokefree.

As you may be new to being smokefree you will notice your triggers flare up more as you navigate through this period.

Here are a few ways to avoid your triggers:

Identify what triggers you:

Are there certain aspects of your day that makes you reach for a cigarette?

Does certain food or drink give you the urge to smoke?

Are there friendship groups you would go to for a smoke?

Look at these triggers:
What can you do to avoid these situations?

If there is a certain part of your day that triggers you, how can you amend this situation? Can you change the routine of your day?

If food or drink gives you the urge to smoke, why not try changing the food or drink you have?

Triggers may not always be associated with your daily routine, instead it may be an emotional trigger, for example, some may resort smoking when they are:

• Stressed
• Anxious
• Excited
• Bored
• Down
• Happy
• Lonely
• Satisfied
• Cooled off after a fight

With these emotional triggers, there are a few ways to deal with them:

• Talk about your emotions with a friend or family member
• Take slow, deep breaths to slow down your body, quiet your mind and reduce cravings
• Exercise, physical activity is a great way to handle emotions.
• Listen to calming music, music can relax you by slowing your heart rate, lowering blood pressure and decreasing stress hormones.

If your triggers are withdrawal triggers, it is great to keep in mind that these triggers will go away over time but at the moment will be harder to deal with. To combat these in the meantime, using Nicotine Replacement Therapy will help curb the craving, with many products available there will be a Nicotine Replacement product that works best for you.

There are many ways we can help:

Quit online - https://yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk/pages/quit-online

Our online quit tool will allow you to create your own personal profile and will support you on a daily basis through your quit journey.

Telephone support - our advisors are on hand to answer any questions or provide additional support as you need it. You can call 0800 612 0011 (free from landlines) or 0330 660 1166.

Visit our frequently asked questions section to find out more: https://yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk/frequently-asked-questions