Although there is a lot of information available on how harmful smoking can be, it is often difficult for smokers to quit. If you have had trouble quitting, the following tips can help you out. Choose and implement some of the tips that you think will help you the most.
As soon as you decide to quit smoking, join a support group. It can be helpful to discuss your problems with ex-smokers who have had the same challenges as you. You can receive support and guidance from former smokers who’ve successfully quit, as well as good tips for dealing with the process. To find a support group near you, check your local community center or community college, or at your church.
Once you’ve decided to quit smoking, find a support group. It can be helpful to you to speak to people who know what you’re going through, who also can identify with the physical and emotional strain you may be experiencing. This can help you feel comfortable by associating with people who have gone through the same issues. Inquire at your local churches, colleges and universities, and YMCA to find out if they run support groups.
Make a gym membership part of your quitting plan. Your health will improve and, more importantly, you will give yourself something instead of smoking to occupy your time. Exercise will also help you relieve stress. A lack of an exercise routine in your life means taking your time and beginning with short measured increments of activity. Always go to your physician before you start exercising.
Hypnosis has proven to be an effective stop smoking method for many people. Many people have found success with professional hypnotists. By implanting positive affirmations into your mind while you are in a trance, you will get the boost you need to keep working toward your goal. When you finally wake up, cigarettes may not have the same allure that they do now, which will allow you a greater chance of succeeding.
When a cigarette craving strikes, try to implement delays. Postpone the smoke break for ten minutes, then occupy your time wisely. After the ten minutes is up, you may discover that your craving has passed. If it doesn’t, keep trying this method.
As with other addictions, approach each day without a cigarette as a small victory. Focus on getting through just one day without smoking. Establishing a shorter timeline can make things seem more attainable. There is nothing wrong with setting long-term goals, but get comfortable with the day-to-day commitment of smoking cessation first.
Many people turn to food when they quit smoking, so it is important that you stock up on healthy snacks. This will boost your health by enjoying some healthy produce while stopping weight gain in it’s tracks. Keep in mind that your body will be going through withdraws, so it is going to be craving foods like crazy.
Prior to starting the smoking cessation process, it is important to be certain that you can stay motivated and committed. Often failure to stop smoking can happen because they are not motivated properly or don’t have a backup plan when cravings set in. The reasons you quit will be a great motivation for you to remain smoke-free.
Ask your family members to get on board with your decision to stop smoking. Tell them that their support will be critical in helping you stick to your program. Ask them to not be judgmental. Let them know that you will probably be crabby at the beginning. It is not easy to stop smoking, and you need to have support from your loved ones during this process.
Do not try to quit all alone. Tell your friends and relatives that you are quitting, and have them give you a hand. You might also want to consider joining a support group for people that are trying to stop smoking. Just talking with others that are on the same journey as you can give you more inspiration and strength to finally quit.
Avoid your triggers to quit smoking with more success. If you like to have a cigarette with coffee you can switch to tea, for example. Find something else that can take your mind off of things when this happens
If you smoked, inside your house, give it a complete cleaning once you have quit. Steam-clean or shampoo your carpet and furniture, scrub the walls and wash your curtains and drapes. Doing so helps your home to stop smelling like cigarettes and stop it from being a constant reminder of the cigarettes you enjoyed.
Talk to your physician to see if he can help you quit. It is possible that your doctor has has resources that you don’t. Once you have talked about your situation, the doctor may prescribe a drug to help you overcome nicotine addiction.
While trying to stop smoking, avoid any activities or situations where you would previously smoke. If you associate smoking with drinking a cup of coffee in the morning or attending happy hour when the workday is done, you will probably need to adjust your routine. Drinking coffee on your way to work or staying away from bars can help you short circuit the cravings.
Don’t do it by yourself. Ask your family for support while you quit and accept their assistance. Having a support group is the single best thing you can do for yourself. Just talking with others who are trying to quit will keep you from falling off the wagon.
Single Puff
The very best way to quit smoking is to just stop right now. Stopping completely is the only way to really quit. Stop smoking, and do not ever pick up a cigarette again. While this method may seem a bit difficult. Time has shown this method to be very effective, overall.
Make a vow to never take another puff again. At times, you may think that one little cigarette will be fine, but just a single puff can make all of your progress go to waste. Keep in mind what a single puff can do.
Whatever activities and locations are most closely associated with smoking in your past, avoid them. If you drank your morning coffee and had a cigarette, switch your routine. Having coffee in your car, or staying out of smoky bars, can replace your craving.
Remember, the first week without cigarettes will be the most difficult. The worst of your withdrawal symptoms will come during the first 48 hours and taper off as the week progresses. After you eliminate the nicotine from your body, you just have to deal with psychological reasons for wanting to smoke. It’s just as hard to fight, but there are many techniques which will help you to achieve success.
Don’t let yourself indulge even a little bit. While it might seem fine to smoke an occasional cigarette, just one single puff can undo all your hard work completely. Think about how damaging having just one cigarette could be before you ever even have the craving.
Stop depending on a cigarette to help you cope with stress, though it may be a long time habit. If so, you will have to replace that with some other form of relaxation. Meditation, yoga and deep breathing techniques are all a great way to help relieve stress and stay smoke-free.
The first seven days are the hardest when quitting smoking. In fact, the first two days–approximately 48 hours–are the worst part of quitting, because you’re detoxifying from nicotine. Once that is gone, your feelings of craving will stem from psychological causes. That’s still hard to deal with, but it gradually becomes easier.
If you feel like a cigarette, exercise instead. You’ll get an endorphin boost that will keep you from worrying as much about cigarettes. You should also exercise to counteract certain side effects of quitting, such as weight gain.
If you feel like a cigarette, exercise instead. Exercising releases endorphins, which can improve your mood and help you focus on something else than your cravings. Furthermore, the activity will make you less likely to gain weight as you stop smoking.
Quit Smoking
Add plenty of fresh veggies, fruits, and nuts to your diet while you are trying to lose your smoking habit. Natural, healthy foods will be helpful during your quit for more than one reason. For one thing, having this food to occupy your mouth and hands can replace the smoking motion you often will do. Also, your chances of gaining weight during this quit period is reduced. In addition, the vitamins and nutrients provided will help ensure you feel as good as you can during withdrawal.
Increase your consumption of vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts when you quit smoking. These items will boost your mood, plus energy levels, and help you in various ways, while you are trying to quit smoking. For one, constantly having something to do with your hands and mouth can behaviorally replace the motions of smoking. By eating these items, you’ll help to negate any weight gain. The high nutritional value of these foods will also make quitting easier, as it helps to reduce symptoms of withdrawal.
If your willpower tanks and you feel a strong urge to smoke, pick up the phone. Whether it may be a family member or a friend, open up and share what you feel regarding the temptation you are experiencing. The discussion will divert your attention from your craving, allowing it to subside, and you will receive the additional benefit of being reminded that you’re not trying to cope with overcoming your addiction all on your own.
Whenever you feel that you’re losing your resolve and are going to give in to the craving to smoke, make a phone call to someone in your support group. This can be a family member or close friend, but you really need to talk with them about your temptations. Spending time on the phone will distract you while the craving passes, and it is good to know you have support in your battle with nicotine.
If you know that you have an oral fixation as part of your addiction, find other things so your mouth stays active. Some people like to suck or chew on gum and hard candy and keep it handy when the urge to smoke creeps up on them. Some people prefer to replace real cigarettes with electronic ones to help them quit smoking.
The above advice should be of assistance to you as you begin to taper down on your tobacco usage. You can have a tobacco free life. Give yourself permission to quit. Your increasing health and the reduced risk of your family’s health will be great rewards for your diligent efforts.
Stay firm in your resolution to never smoke again. Most ex-smokers have tried to stop smoking several times without success before giving up the habit for good. If you have a setback, figure out why you relapsed, and then get up and get going again.