NHS Lothian Quit Your Way

12/06/2026

🚭 Stress & Your Stop Smoking Journey

Stress can have a real impact on your journey to stop smoking. It’s a common trigger—and recognising it is the first step to staying in control.

⚠️ Signs of stress might include:
🔸 Feeling overwhelmed or irritable
🔸 Trouble sleeping
🔸 Changes in appetite
🔸 Difficulty concentrating

💡 The good news? There are simple ways to manage stress without reaching for a cigarette:
✅ Take a few minutes to breathe deeply
✅ Get moving – even a short walk can help
✅ Talk to someone you trust
✅ Try relaxation techniques like mindfulness

You don’t have to figure it out alone.
NHS UK has helpful advice on spotting stress and practical ways to manage it ⬇

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/stress/

12/06/2026

Ready to stop smoking? 🚭

Quit Your Way practitioners can help you to stop smoking by offering advice and support, as well as arranging Ni****ne replacement or other medication to help you quit.

Choose the type of support that suits you best;

🔹 A session with other people who are stopping smoking
🔸 One-to-one support with a practitioner
📞 Telephone support if you are unable to get to any of our sessions
🏥 Get support from your local community pharmacy.

🆓 All the support is free.

For more information and to self-refer, head over to ⬇
tinyurl.com/qywlothian

Use the 🟩 click to be contacted button, fill in your information, and a practitioner will phone you to arrange support.

For support to stop smoking in the Midlothian area please contact us on 0131 537 9914 and we can arrange for one of our practitioners to contact you. Alternatively, you can self-refer for support ...

10/06/2026

🌞 Smoke-Free Summer 🌞

We're often told that going on holiday is a massive trigger for a relapse back to smoking. Plan ahead with these top tips to help you stay smoke-free during your summer holiday.

Top tips for staying smoke-free on holiday:
✅ Plan ahead – bring ni****ne replacement or support tools if you use them
✅ Change your routine – swap smoking triggers (like coffee or alcohol) with something new
✅ Keep your hands and mind busy – explore, swim, walk, or try something different
✅ Remind yourself why you quit – your health, your family, your future
✅ If you slip, don’t give up – one cigarette doesn’t undo your progress
🌟 This summer isn’t about missing out — it’s about gaining freedom.
Freedom to relax, breathe deeply, and make lasting memories without ci******es.

You’ve got this. Stay smoke-free and enjoy every moment. 💚

08/06/2026

Quit Your Way is committed to being a carer friendly service.
Practitioners can work with you to tailor support around your caring commitments, meaning that you get support to in a way that works for you.
For more info and to self-refer head over to ⬇
tinyurl.com/qywlothian

2026!

05/06/2026

🍷📊 How Does Your Drinking Add Up?
It’s easy to lose track of how much we’re drinking—especially during busy weeks, weekends, or social events. But knowing your intake can make a big difference to your health.
⚠️ An easy mistake is to think one drink equals one unit. It doesn’t.

💡 Did you know?
Regularly drinking more than the recommended limits can increase your risk of:
• High blood pressure
• Liver disease
• Poor sleep and low mood
• Certain cancers

✅
• Aim for no more than 14 units a week
• Spread drinking over several days
• Include alcohol-free days each week

🍹 Small changes can add up:
• Try alcohol-free alternatives
• Use smaller glasses
• Keep track of your units
• Plan ahead for social occasions

Taking a moment to check in on your drinking can help you stay healthier and feel better day to day.
👉 Find out more and see how your drinking adds up:
https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/alcohol/how-does-my-drinking-add-up
💚 Awareness is the first step to positive change.

03/06/2026

We know that Va**ng is less harmful than smoking, but it’s not completely risk free. If you want to quit va**ng check out these handy tips ⬇

⬇️ Reduce ni****ne strength- don’t rush the process, slowly reduce the strength of your v**e
⏰ Extend times between va**ng episodes- i.e extend time between va**ng from every 30 mins to every hour
📋 Set rules about where you v**e- i.e only v**e outside, or only on breaks at work can help reduce the amount of va**ng and weaken the link between certain activities and va**ng
🚭Keep a v**e handy in case of relapse- it’s better to relapse to a v**e than restarting smoking

*NHS Lothian is unable to provide support or NRT if you v**e only*

Check out this info leaflet from NHS GG&C

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has launched a new advice pack on va**ng to help users of all ages understand the risks and plan to cut down or quit. Va**ng is an increasing public health concern in Scotland with the growth of v**e users in the adult population going from 10% to 12% in a… Continue ...

01/06/2026

There are lots of things that can affect your sleep, smoking is one of them. Find out more about sleep problems and how to help your sleep here https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/sleep/

31/05/2026

To***co companies deliberately design their products to hook you.

Added ingredients mask the harshness of ni****ne so you inhale more, and get addicted faster.

But the grip of addiction can be broken. And the benefits are felt almost immediately after you stop smoking:

⏱️ In 20 minutes, your heart rate drops

🫁 2–12 weeks, your lung function improves

❤️ 1 year, your risk of heart disease is cut in half

What's holding you back from calling it quits?

Take the bold step... stop smoking and break the addiction.

Help is available, visit our NHS Inform page for more info ⬇

tinyurl.com/qywlothian

***coDay 🚭

28/05/2026

Surround yourself with a team of people who can help and support you throughout your stop smoking journey.
Get in touch to start your journey with us, visit
tinyurl.com/qywlothian
and use the green “click to be contacted” button to arrange a call back from one of our team.

26/05/2026

Exercise can help improve your general mood, self-confidence, sleep quality, energy levels and stress levels.

Exercise can also help distract you from ni****ne cravings when you are stopping smoking, and it keeps you busy. You don’t need to join a gym, walking or chair exercises can be beneficial.

More info on the benefits of exercise at NHS Inform
https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/keeping-active/benefits-of-being-active/