Make Your New Year’s Resolution to Quit Smoking
January 04, 2020 By: Jeni Wakefield, BSN, RN, CMSRN

Make Your New Year’s Resolution to Quit Smoking

Every year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions hoping to spark positive change in their lives. This year, why not tackle one of the biggest hurdles to your health? Quit smoking.

Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the country, with 480,000 people dying every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And it’s linked to many other diseases, including lung cancer. Olathe Health offers a Smoking Cessation Program to help you kick the habit.

Jeni Wakefield, a nurse navigator at the Olathe Health Cancer Center, offers some tips to help you keep your resolution and achieve your goal of quitting.

  • Mentally prepare for change. Did you try to quit last year? What worked or didn’t work for you? Stay positive! Just because you were not successful last year doesn’t mean you will repeat the same thing this year. Maybe this is YOUR year.
  • Set a goal that motivates you. To be successful in quitting, you must want this for yourself. Don’t do it for other people. That will only lead to grudges and resentment towards others.
  • Make your resolution manageable. You may not be able to quit as quickly as you would like, and that’s okay. A slower, more obtainable goal is better in the long run.
  • Write down your resolution. You can also list your reasons for quitting to remind yourself of why you are doing it.
  • Remember resolutions are nothing more than goals. Be SMART:
    • Specific – Articulate the resolution as clearly as possible.
    • Measurable – Quantify your resolution if possible.
    • Attainable – Choose a goal within the realm of possibility.
    • Relevant – Keep it relevant to your priorities and goals.
    • Time-Sensitive – Give yourself a time frame to achieve your goal. A deadline will instill some urgency and provide a time when you can celebrate your success.
  • Share your resolution with others. If you want to take this to the next level, join a group. A smoking cessation program may be what you are needing. Groups that meet regularly will help you stay motivated and help share in your setbacks and progress.

Olathe Health offers a FREE Smoking Cessation Program in partnership with the Masonic Cancer Alliance. It is an eight-week program open to anyone interested and uses materials from the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center.

To learn more, contact Jeni Wakefield at 913-355-4096.