Addiction Nicotine Use How to Quit Smoking Quit and Stay Quit Monday Reinforce Your Commitment to Quit Smoking By Terry Martin facebook twitter Terry Martin quit smoking after 26 years and is now an advocate for those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction. Learn about our editorial process Terry Martin Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Armeen Poor, MD on December 09, 2020 Armeen Poor, MD, is a board-certified pulmonologist and intensivist. He specializes in pulmonary health, critical care, and sleep medicine. Learn about our Review Board Armeen Poor, MD on December 09, 2020 Print Monday Campaigns The Day to Make a Fresh Start... Monday is the day of the week that just about all of us associate with new beginnings. We start work on improving our lives on Mondays and get back on track if we've strayed off plan on Mondays, too. Whether we're trying to lose weight, get more exercise or quit smoking, Monday is the day that we usually choose to set those plans in motion. Part of the Healthy Monday Campaign, Quit and Stay Quit Monday℠ puts focus on using Monday to check in on our progress with cessation, or recommit to quitting tobacco if we've relapsed. Along with the American Cancer Society and numerous other organizations, Verywell.com Smoking Cessation supports the Quit and Stay Quit Monday program with information and support to help you put smoking in the past, permanently. Making Progress, One Monday at a Time Nicotine addiction lets go of us gradually. Taking stock of how far you've come with smoking cessation every Monday will reinforce your determination to stay the course and stick with it until smoking loses its appeal and becomes something you used to do. Resources to Reinforce Smoking Cessation: Smoking Cessation Support ForumConnect with others who are working through the ups and downs of recovery from nicotine addiction too.Create a Quit Smoking JournalA great way to see your progress is by jotting notes in your journal at the end of each smoke-free day. It's also a useful tool for the bad days that are bound to happen every now and then. A bit of time reading how you felt three weeks or three months ago allows you to see how far you've come.Quit Smoking 101 - Lessons to Help You Stop SmokingThe 10 pages included in this online set of lessons will walk you through preparing for your quit day and how to manage after you stub out that last cigarette. Plenty of ex-smoker success stories are included, as well. Relapse Resources: The Psychology of a Smoking RelapseRecognizing the warning signs and risky behaviors that usually precedes a smoking relapse will help you nip problems in the bud before any harm is done.How Do I Recover from a Smoking Relapse?A reader asks: "I quit smoking 4 months ago and have done very well. Lately, though, I've been missing smoking a little. All of a sudden and without warning, I found myself unable to control the urge to smoke. The next thing I knew, I found a cigarette and lit it. How do I get back on track?"How to Recover From a Smoking RelapseUnhealthy thoughts of smoking that are left unchecked can lead to a smoking relapse quickly.No Such Thing as Just One CigaretteThoughts of smoking just one cigarette have been the ruin of many good quitting efforts. It's important for you to realize ahead of time that these mental contortions are a normal part of the recovery process. A little preparation will keep you in the driver's seat when your mind starts to wander and smoking seems like a good option. Time and Patience Remember that smoking cessation is a process of gradual release from nicotine addiction over time. We all heal at different rates, so don't rush yourself and don't compare your progress with anyone else. It takes as long as it takes for you. Patience with the ProcessThere is No Substitute for Time Do use Monday as the day you check in with yourself and do use Monday as a day to reinforce your commitment to smoking cessation. If you've relapsed, use Monday as a day to begin anew. We all have what it takes to quit smoking successfully. Believe that, believe in yourself and be willing to make it happen....one Monday at a time. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! So you're ready to finally quit smoking? Our free guide can help you get on the right track. Sign up and get yours today. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit