“The damage is done” – This is one of the most common excuses for smokers who are thinking about quitting. While it is true that some damage has been done, what this excuse does not say is quitting at an older age can still have significant and quick results. In fact, benefits can even be seen within days! Let’s dig deeper into some tips to quitting smoking at a later age and some statistics to help get you started.

 

TIPS TO QUITTING

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You’ve taken the first step of reading this article, congrats! Now, for the hard part. One of the biggest deciding factors in whether or not an attempt to quit smoking actually works is going in with a game plan. Here are some proven tips to get you started and keep you motivated:

 

Know Your Reason

Whether it’s for financial reasons, health goals, or to see your granddaughter walk down the aisle, having a clear and definitive reason for quitting is one of the best ways to get you through the tough cravings. Keep reminding yourself of your “why” and you’ll be less likely to ruin your progress!

Identify Triggers

Everybody’s habits are different. Some people smoke after they’ve had their first alcoholic beverage, some smoke after work to help with stress. Regardless, knowing what triggers you have will help you prevent or curb those urges. When identifying triggers, they will typically fall into one of four categories; emotional, pattern, social and withdrawal. Some ways to help with these triggers are:

1. Emotional (happy, stressed, bored, etc) – The key to getting around emotional triggers is to calm yourself down. A few ways to stay calm are to talk with a friend or family member about your emotions, going to the gym or listening to calming music.
2. Pattern (drinking alcohol, driving, before going to bed, etc.) – Just like brushing your teeth or making your bed in the morning, smoking cigarettes can become a pattern of activity. Try finding replacement activities instead of smoking!
3. Social (going out with friends, celebrations, etc.) – Sometimes, certain situations or activities with friends and family can trigger a craving. While it may be tough, avoiding these situations (if possible) may be your best option until your cravings are under control.
4. Withdrawal (cravings) – Distractions, distractions, distractions. This has been found to be the best way to help with withdrawal symptoms. Try turning on your favorite TV show or calling up a friend or family member. Also, ask your doctor to see if nicotine alternatives or prescriptions are right for your situation.

 

Set Up a Reward System

In the short term, creating a reward system is a great way to stay on track with your goal. Think about all of the money you spend on cigarettes. If you smoke a pack a day, with the average price of cigarettes in most states being $5.51, that means that you’re spending roughly $168 per month on a nasty habit. Why not use that money on a hobby or a celebratory vacation? From then on, every time you play your new guitar or see photos of your vacation, you’ll have positive memories of not smoking, which will help reinforce the positive behavior.

 

LOOK AT THE STATS

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If health and longevity is your reason for quitting, you’ll be happy to know that quitting at a later age can still have quick and almost immediate benefits. According to the World Health Organization, these are some of the changes that will begin to happen immediately after quitting:

• Within 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
• 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
• 2-12 weeks, your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
• 1-9 months, coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
• 1 year, your risk of coronary heart disease is about half that of a smoker’s.
• 5 years, your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5 to 15 years after quitting.
• 10 years, your risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker and your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decreases.
• 15 years, the risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker’s.

Smoking is one of the most difficult habits to break. That’s why going into it with a plan and some extra help will give you the best chance of success. Just remember, no matter how old you are, you it’s never too late to turn your health around!

Looking for a non-smoking senior living community to help you get through the difficult process? At The Wellington Senior Living, we’re just that! If you or a loved one are interested in a personal tour of our smoke-free facility, please don’t hesitate to give us a call!