The Kick-Butt Guide to Kicking Butts

DO’s
DO prepare for battle. Cigarette cravings,
or what many call a “nicotine fit,” have been
described as “walking through the Sahara Desert
while someone shoves a pound of salt into your
mouth.” Work to build your mental toughness,
which in turn can go a long way towards beating
those cravings.
DO get enough sleep. When the going gets
tough, the tough get snoozing. It’s harder to skip
a smoke break when you’re tired. Solid shut-eye
has been linked to self-control and focus, with the
U.S.-based National Sleep Foundation reporting
that most guys between the ages of 26 and 65
need between 7 to 9 hours a night. Mentally
tough men make quality sleep a priority by
practicing good sleep hygiene.
DO laugh about it. When the going gets
tough, the tough laugh: Try to build some
humour and fun into your Quit Plan. One way
to make it “interesting” is to put something on
the line with a buddy! A recent study revealed
that smokers with $150 at stake were much more
likely to kick the habit. Some stakes are worth
more than money. Habit-kicking bets have ranged
from winners being called “Your Majesty” for a
month to paying up by doing jumping jacks on
Instagram. Of course, everyone’s a winner when it
comes to quitting smoking.
DO hang out with family and friends.
Chances are there are people around you who
love and respect you. Their encouraging words
can work wonders, as can sharing their own
struggles and successes when they kicked the
habit. They’re in your corner to provide the
support you need to quit smoking for good.
DO use an app. Digital tools for quitting, such as
MyQuit Coach and QuitNow!, provide roundthe-clock
encouragement and tips. Research
shows that supportive text messages can double
your chances of quitting. There really is an app for
that!
DO save cigarette money. To the victor goes
the spoils! Reward yourself once in a while with
next-level snacks on game night, a new big-screen
TV, or even the vacation you always wanted!
You’ll be shocked at how much money you
save by quitting, so maybe now you can afford
these rewards.
DO Share your goal. If all of your buddies
smoke and you’re a very social guy, let them
know you’re trying to quit smoking. On one hand,
they’ll likely support you — they’ve probably tried
themselves and realize they should try again. On
the other hand, it will explain why you’re hanging
out with non-smokers while battling cravings.
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