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Get Sick: Quit While You Are Sick

by Lisa Rae

New York, New York
United States

Get sick! Of course, this sounds ridiculous. What I mean is, wait until you get that first winter cold. Most smokers I know don't feel much like smoking when they have a bad cold, the flu, or are laid up in bed. You also don't think about it or feel the urge very much because you aren't doing the things that you associate with smoking. I got a very bad respiratory infection, and smoking actually hurt- and of course excacerbated the situation. I was sick for a whole month, and didn't even THINK about the fact that I wasn't smoking. Once I felt better, the nicotine was out of my system and I was just plain out of the habit. And the idea of lighting up was a bit scary because the infection made me realize what it would feel like to have emphysema. (I even went out for drinks and didn't feel the urge). I don't know if this will work long term for everyone, but if you are sick you get over that hump when you would normally go through withdrawal symptoms. (You feel sick anyway!) So, the next time you get a cold, don't smoke and see if you can keep it up once you feel better!