Are you searching for a simple way to look and feel better, save money, and lengthen your life? What if you could do all that while supporting your favourite charity?It sounds too good to be true, but most of us need look no further than cutting out a bad habit. Whether it's drinking, smoking, or eating junk food, let's STOP this October. We've even included some handy tips that should make lasting the month, and hitting your fundraising targets, that little bit easier.
1. Focus on your Motivation
Whether it's one of the reasons listed above, a combination of many, or something else entirely, only you know why you want to quit. In moments of temptation, focus on what made you give up in the first place. It might even help to write this down and have it close at hand - on your fridge, on your desk - as a reminder.
2. Be Vocal
Tell your friends. Tell your partner. Tell anyone who'll listen. Making your commitment to quitting public works on two levels: it puts social pressure on you to stick to your goal, and will give you lots of places to turn for support. Turning your abstinence into a fundraising opportunity adds another layer - it's much easier to say no to a drink when you're saying yes to a donation!
3. Find A Buddy
You're more likely to quit, and have a good time doing it, if you have someone going through it with you. Finding this person can be quite challenging; usually it will be your favourite drinking partner, or the coworker you sync your smoke-breaks with, but it doesn't have to be. It could just be a friend who cares about you, who you can trust to talk you down when temptations are high. Try to find someone with a similar level of commitment to yourself though - if they fall off the wagon, you don't want them dragging you down too!
4. Get Lazy
It might sound like an oxymoron when talking about self-improvement, but procrastination can be a great mental tool for quitting just about anything. Any time a craving kicks in, just tell yourself, "I'll act on it in a minute." Think about how often we tell ourselves we'll get around to exercising/paying a bill/calling that relative "in a minute". How long does it actually take us to get it done? Treat your cravings with the same indifference as you treat your errands and you can put them off for years.
5. Take It One Day At A Time
This one may be a cliché, but it's a tried and tested mantra of Alcoholics Anonymous, and can be of great use even if you don't suffer from addiction. It ties in quite well with the procrastination technique; you don't have to stop smoking/drinking/whatever it is for a whole MONTH, you just have to make it until you go to sleep TONIGHT. Tomorrow is a new day with new choices to be made.
6. Listen To The Experts
There are a number of places you can go for helpful advice and resources to quit smoking and drinking. The NHS provides many local 'Stop Smoking' services, and some Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) such as gum or skin patches are available on prescription or from pharmacies. 'DrinkAware' are a UK charity with many excellent tips and online tools for curbing alcohol abuse. The information is out there - don't let ignorance be an excuse!
Good Luck!
