Reward Yourself for Not Smoking on Monday with a Healthy Activity!

Enjoy Some Positive Reinforcement For Not Smoking

When you reach a new victory in your journey to quit smoking, you deserve a reward! Even when you’re on top of your quit plan and managing your cravings like a champ, it’s important to congratulate yourself for a job well done. This Monday, find a fun way to treat yourself that will match your healthy lifestyle.

You might think of a reward as an indulgence, something like a fancy dinner out or a new pair of shoes you’ve been coveting. In moderation, this kind of reward is absolutely fine. But you can reward yourself every Monday in a more realistic way – and you should! Monday is a great time to assess your success and recognize that you’ve met your goals. Consider rewarding yourself every week with something experiential rather than something that you consume.
Instead of eating or buying something, sign up for an activity that you’ve been wanting to try, like a new dance class or a group run. This will give you something to work toward – and look forward to – every Monday.

There are so many benefits to doing something active as a reward. Keeping yourself physically busy can help distract you from nicotine cravings and combat the stress you might feel while quitting. Plus, exercise will help keep your weight in check and help your heart and lungs heal. If you bring friends along, that’s a built-in support system that can cheer you on and celebrate another step in your quit journey!

Doing something new will also help you move past the feeling of missing out. Some former smokers may feel that giving up smoking means they’re being deprived. A new activity may help fulfill the “reward center” of the brain that was once satisfied by cigarettes. Only this time, your brain can feel rewarded by something healthy and entertaining.

When you overcome the challenges of quitting smoking, you deserve to celebrate. This Monday – and every Monday – remember to treat yourself by going out and doing something you’ve always wanted to try. It’s another way to shift into a healthy lifestyle!