Choosing a good time to quit smoking

Some unsuccessful attempts to quit smoking result from picking a bad time. If your life is hectic, you may feel there will never be a good time to quit. In that case, pick a time to quit, and do what you can to make your life less stressful or busy than it usually is. Be aware that if you wait for a "perfect" time to quit, you may end up putting off the decision for years.

Anytime that you can focus your energy and attention on your goal of quitting smoking is a good time to quit. In addition, certain days may be good choices for your first smoke-free day. Consider quitting:

• On New Year's Day.
• On the American Cancer Society's "Great American Smoke-Out" on the Thursday before Thanksgiving. This event is widely publicized, so you will probably see information and support in the media.
• On your birthday.
• On a special day that has meaning to a friend or family member who wants you to quit.
• When you are ill or having a troublesome smoking-related symptom.
• On the first day of a vacation.

Bad times to quit include:

• High-stress times.
• Times when you feel low or depressed.
• Periods in which you have little contact with friends or family. But if those friends or family members smoke or if you are usually around people who smoke, a good time to quit might be a period of time when you are away from them.
• Just before a holiday. (Holidays require a lot of energy and may provide more temptations than other times of the year).
• Right after a serious loss or difficult life change (the death of someone close, a stressful move). But if the life change is seen as progress toward a better future, it might be a good time to quit. For example, immediately following a divorce may be a bad time or a very good time to quit, depending on your attitude toward this life change.