Quitting with a clear plan gives you the chance to stay motivated and see the plan through.

We've collated a few simple steps that you can take to help put your plan into action and prepare for the day you quit.

Avoid temptation

• Choose a quit date that’s unlikely to be stressful

• Avoid having any cigarettes, matches, or lighters on you

Everyone is different. Activities or environments will affect individuals differently - from socialising with friends or coffee breaks and stressful work situations, this blog from smokefree.gov contains some useful tips to help you to understand and best deal with any triggers that affect you.

Triggers are the things that make you want to smoke. Different people have different triggers, like a stressful situation, sipping coffee, going to a party, or smelling cigarette smoke.

Most triggers fall into one of these four categories:

• Emotional

• Pattern

This blog was published by smokefree.gov and we hope our members in Northumberland find it helpful and inspiring!

Stress is a normal part of life—in moderation it can help you reach your goals, but too much stress creates more problems. Managing stress is a key part of quitting smoking.

You may have learned to deal with stress by smoking. But there are ways to handle stress without smoking. Here are a few ideas you might find helpful. Some of these tips may take practice, but others you can do right away. Try one or more to learn what works for you.

Relax

Our bodies respond to stress by releasing hormones that increase your heart rate and raise your blood pressure. Practicing relaxation techniques, like the ones below, may improve your health and help you handle your stress in positive ways.

This blog from smokefree.gov resonated with the team here at Stop Smoking Northumberland - looking after your physical and mental wellbeing is a very positive path to take, and one which will support you on your journey to quitting smoking too.

Work, family, and other demands on your time and energy can make it difficult to fit regular exercise into your life. Many people start an exercise program but have trouble keeping to it.

Here are some simple ways you can stay motivated, have fun, and make exercise a positive habit.

• Create a weekly exercise plan Pick days of the week or times of day that work with your schedule, obligations, and preferences. Not a morning person? A 5:00 a.m. gym class might not be best for you. Check your plan each week and change it as needed. You might have to adjust your exercise plan to stay on track when…