LESSON #5: CHOOSE YOUR ALLIES VIDEO
Assembling your support team could be one of the most important parts of your quit success. Taking some time to consider who will make the best supportive allies is time well spent.
There are many types of support that can help you manage your experience. Among them are medical, friends, peers, family, group, and spiritual support. You may choose one or a combination to best meet your needs.
Your primary healthcare provider, specialist healthcare provider, or dental provider may be encouraging you to quit smoking. They are focused on your health and medical history, so they can appreciate how continued tobacco use could harm your overall health and well-being. As a health expert, their advice carries a lot of weight influencing the choices you make. Keep your communication lines open with your medical support team so they can stay aware of your needs and progress. For example, they may help with health insurance coverage for over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy or prescription medications.
Your first impulse may be to try going it alone. Maybe you’re anxious to tell anyone that you’re quitting because you worry you may be criticized or judged. Choosing the right-for-you people is an important part of your quit smoking success. Try to choose ally friends who have provided good emotional support in the past, who know how to listen judgment-free, and can help you with some of your daily stressors too. Sometimes a friend may not be the best fit or may become overwhelmed. Maintain open communication with your allies, and know that it is 100% okay to make changes as needs and circumstances change.
Support from peers—people who already quit, may be quitting now, or would like to quit—can be a part of group support or one-on-one. What sets it apart from medical support is relatable experience. A peer is able to listen and hold space for you in a unique way that involves less expert advice and may feel a bit more candid, relevant, or friendly. Having an unbiased quit buddy can be really helpful.
Some people feel uncomfortable with family support. Past disappointments or unmet expectations can interfere with being fully present for another. Parents may find it hard to let their adult children help, adult children with children of their own may struggle to support a senior parent, and long-distance families may feel out of the loop. Still, many do prefer a spouse or other family member supporting them. Tips to increase successful family support include: