Are you trying to give up smoking? Maybe you’ve tried and failed. Well a new app called My Quit Buddy could be just the answer to leave cigarettes behind.
The app was created by the National Tobacco Campaign and is available free for the iPhone with an Android version coming soon.
So how can an app help you quit smoking? As it’s name suggests, the app is your own personal support system which is with you wherever and whenever you need it.
The app can provide craving distractions, help you set personalised goals, provide health facts and quit tips along with achievement notifications and personalised support options.
There are around 3.3 million Australians who smoke – 2.8 million of these are daily smokers – which is more than 15 per cent of the population.
Smoking accounts for nearly 15,000 deaths per year and costs the economy $31.5 billion annually.
By quitting smoking a pack-a-day smoker can save more than $4000 but it’s the benefits to their health which are even greater than more money in their bank account.
The My Quit Buddy apps starts off with the user deciding to quit now or quit later.
The next step is to set a goal and decide on the support you’d need to achieve it.
One goal might be to take your family on a holiday with the money you’ve saved from quitting smoking.
For the first 30 days the app displays a daily message with a useful tips to help you get through the day.
But the app is more than just a “you can do it” application with daily affirmations.
A user can nominate danger times and the app gets in touch with you to help keep you on track.
When the cravings hit, My Quit Buddy can provide distractions and a series of alerts to show you how far you’ve progressed.
A very powerful part of the app is the Remind Me feature which can show a slideshow of pictures to remind you exactly why you’re quitting. The pictures could be of your children, your family of your spouse.
Other support features include messages from other users of the app who are also trying to quit. You can also leave your own message for others to read.
Users can also call the Quitline directly from the app for added support as well.
You can even nominate a friend of family member to call through the app when you’re doing it tough and need that added support.
When a smoker quits it only takes five days for nicotine to get out of your body but coping with this removal is the toughest part and an app like My Quit Buddy could just be the answer to get you through it.
My Quit Buddy is a free app that’s available now for iPhone users and coming soon for Android smartphones.
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