Stages of change to become a nonsmoker
Psychologists DiClemente and Prochaska have developed a way of understanding how people change behaviors. More specifically, they created what is known as Stages of Change to describe the process we all go through when we change a behavior. The five stages and a short description are:
Precontemplation
You're not even thinking about quitting.
Contemplation
You know you should quit, you sort of want to quit, maybe you'll quit someday.
Preparation
You're thinking about seeing your doctor about Zyban, you're reading about how to quit, you're ready for a change!
Action
You've made the decision. You've stopped smoking. And you're creating new daily rituals and experiencing a temporary recovery phase. You've gained control. You're a nonsmoker!
Maintenance
Once you've remained a nonsmoker for six months you are no longer quitting, you are living the normal life of a nonsmoker. You have changed your lifestyle. You did it!
Why a relapse is NOT a failure
If you quit and then relapse by smoking again you are NOT a failure. A relapse means that you need to do some additional preparation. All that happens in this situation is that you move from the Action stage back to the Preparation stage.
If this happens to you it's important to stay upbeat, learn more about the transition process, and quit again. Every quit attempt counts and will help you become a lasting nonsmoker!
Getting ready
Preparation is the key to making it easier to become a lasting nonsmoker.
Preparation is the key to becoming a lasting nonsmoker. Click Next to plan for your new lifestyle!
|
|
Becoming a nonsmoker just got a whole lot easier!
|
|
