In order to successfully quit smoking, you should have the support of those around you, especially your loved ones. But what if your partner is not yet ready to quit? How do you go about ditching this habit? How do you deal with nicotine urges and temptations at home?
Quitting with a smoker around you is possible. Consider the following steps:
- Tell your partner you are quitting. It could have been better if you two will quit smoking together. But if
after all the encouragement and persuasion, your partner still doesn’t want to quit, it should not be a reason for you to continue with this unhealthy habit. However, you should tell him or her that you are serious about quitting smoking and cite your reasons for it. Tell him or her not to offer you cigarettes or smoke at home or whenever you are around. This way, you are also helping curb your partner’s cigarette consumption. - Don’t join your partner during ‘cigarette breaks’. If your partner insists to light up, ask him or her to go out for awhile or excuse yourself. Seeing someone smoke will certainly increase your nicotine urges. Losing a smoking buddy might be difficult for your partner. But remind him or her that quitting is much more challenging.
- Be clear about your no-smoking policies. Designate specific spots or areas in your home where your partner can securely place his or her cigarettes. Don’t allow your partner to place them on the table or anywhere that they will be visible. It would be better if you can explain to your partner that seeing anything that has to do with smoking can make the quitting process harder for you.
- Don’t blame your partner for your mood swings. It is normal to experience anxiety, irritability and negative emotions while quitting smoking. Don’t make your partner be the ‘shock absorber’ of your mood swings. Whenever you feel irritated, try finding a different outlet. You can try exercising, meditating or journaling. All these strategies are proven to be effective in relieving stress, cigarette craving, and other psychological effects of quitting.
- Show your partner the benefits of quitting. Even if you do nothing, your partner will surely notice positive
DID YOU KNOW? Quitting smoking will incredibly improve the quality of your relationship. When both of you are healthy, you can easily pursue with your individual goals and your future plans as a couple.changes in your physical health and well-being several weeks after you quit smoking. Your appearance will improve, you won’t smell ‘stinky’ anymore, you will have more energy, and your mood will get better. There’s a great, great chance that he or she will be inspired by your decision to quit and might quit as well. When that time comes, be ready to provide support. Even though your partner may not have been that supportive when you were trying to quit, you still want to show to him or her that you are there to help.
Quitting smoking today will incredibly improve the quality of your relationship. When both of you are healthy, you can easily pursue with your individual goals and your future plans as a couple.
