You know you need to quit. After all, smoking kills more than 400,000 people every year in the United States alone. However, quitting smoking is almost always insanely difficult, but thankfully this high-tech age we live in offers a lot of options to help kick the habit once and for all. Here are some apps for your smart phone that will help you finally quit smoking for good.
1 – Facebook
Though not specifically designed for quitting smoking, Facebook seems to be helping a lot of people break free from their cigarette addiction. People who are trying to quit can use Facebook to garner support from friends and family or find smoking cessation groups where they can talk to fellow comrades who are going through the same struggle.
The ability to post status updates allows people to announce their quitting progress to their entire group of Facebook friends, which helps keep them accountable and motivated. When you have all your friends cheering for you, the last thing you want to do is let them down.
2 – Quitter
There are many different incentives to quit smoking, and one of the most compelling is the sheer cost of keeping up the habit. With the average cost of a cigarette pack hovering around $5, a pack-a-day smoker will spend almost $2,000 on cigarettes yearly. The “Quitter” app has a simple objective: to show you how long it’s been since you last smoked and how much money you’ve saved in that period of time.Seeing all the money that would have gone up in smoke can be a real motivator to help keep you on the path of righteousness.
3 – LIVESTRONG MyQuit Coach
Bearing the namesake of the iconic cyclist, Livestrong.com provides resources for people who want to live healthier lives. They’ve come out with this app, which offers a personalized quitting plan for each user. Maybe you want to quit cold turkey, or maybe you want to gradually reduce your usage over time. Either way, this app has your back. It also has motivational tips and photos to keep you going while you’re in the throes of even your most harrowing cravings.
4 – Smoke Out
Smoke Out combines elements of social media and tracking apps, allowing you to publish your progress to Facebook and Twitter. It shows you not only how much money you’ve saved but how many years you’ve added to your life by quitting as well. It also tracks your cigarette intake and helps you wean yourself off of the nicotine. And again, when you’re being held accountable by all your social media friends, it makes it easier to keep going.
While you’re in the process of quitting, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor (who will be very happy with you!). Chances are even after you quit you’ll have some lung damage, so if you’d like help getting your lungs back on track consider checking out a respiratory therapist. Experts in the field of respiratory care, these practitioners will be able to assess your lung health and help you deal with any problems that might have come up during your smoking tenure.
Whatever method you use to give up cigarettes once and for all, good luck!
About the author: Joanna Cruze is a long time writer who enjoys building iphone apps in her free time, she also loves to freelance when time permits.