Did you know that when you stop smoking, there are immediate health benefits? Just a few minutes without a
cigarette
helps lower your heart rate. Cigarette smokers are exposed to carbon monoxide, which makes it hard for your blood to
carry oxygen and affects your brain and
heart. Between 24 hours to a few days after quitting, the carbon monoxide in
your blood will drop to a normal level. And that's just the beginning, the American
Cancer Society says. Over
time,
steering clear of cigarettes can help lower your risk of heart attack, cancer and coronary heart disease.
Quitting
smoking can even add as many as 10 years
to your life expectancy. One of our Best Health® wellness program
members
took the next step to quit smoking — and she found success with the help of her health coach.
Quit smoking with the support you need
“My coach made it personal to me and gave me tools to work with when I was having a struggle,” the member says.
As a Sharp Health Plan member, you can meet with
a personal health and lifestyle coach and get one-on-one support
at
no cost. For six weeks, you'll meet with your coach once a week for 30 minutes. During your coaching session,
you'll
review your lifestyle and health concerns, get guidance and troubleshoot, and get motivated to quit smoking and
reach your
health goals. For extra tips and resources to help you stay on track, check out our online Healthy Living
Programs.
“I will miss the weekly conversations with my coach. She was a great encouragement to me,” she explains. “I'm not
sure I could have done it alone without our weekly conversations. She made me feel seen and heard.”
Push past cravings
When you quit, you may still have the urge to smoke. These
tips can help prevent triggering a craving:
- Create a smoke-free environment by spending time in places where tobacco products aren't allowed.
- Reach out to a loved one for support. If you experience difficult emotions, like anger, frustration, anxiety
or
depression for more than a month, contact your doctor.
- Try eating 4-6 small meals during the day to prevent the urge to smoke. This will also help balance your
blood
sugar and energy levels.
- Spicy and sugary foods may increase cravings, so consider other options when you cook or go out to eat.
- If you miss holding a cigarette or having one in your mouth, try holding a pencil or chewing sugarless gum
or
sugar-free hard candy.
“I was able to work through the cravings of wanting a cigarette,” the member says. “Speaking with the coach
weekly was
very helpful and encouraging. I can now say I am a former smoker.”
Ready to get started with a health coach?
Our Best Health team is here to help. Get extra support from a health coach when you quit smoking and build
healthy
habits to stick to your goals. Set up an
appointment with a coach by creating or logging in to your Best
Health
account.