Lots of people discover that it is very difficult to stop smoking. No single technique will be effective for every smoker. You will have to research, and try different methods to find what works for you and your addiction. You might be surprised by how effective some of the following tactics and tips are.
Hypnosis is an effective tool to use when you quit smoking. A licensed hypnotist will provide you with tools which can’t be found elsewhere. The hypnotist can put you into a deep trance and provide you with positive affirmations that stay embedded in your mind. When you are awakened from this trance, you might not be as interested in cigarettes as you were before, making your goal more attainable.
Let loved ones and friends know, that you wish to stop smoking. You will feel that you don’t want to let them down by smoking again, helping to keep you motivated. A supportive group of loved ones can give you the push you need to stick to your plans for quitting.
Try exercising or joining a gym to keep you from smoking, and to better your health. Exercise can go a long way to reducing the stress brought on by nicotine withdrawals. If you are new to exercise, start slowly by taking walks every other day. Before beginning an exercise routine, consult with your doctor.
In order to make quitting smoking more tolerable, just take one step at a time. Make your goals very short and attainable – one day at a time. Focusing on one day at a time is easier than focusing on the long-term. Once you start becoming comfortable with your commitment to stop smoking, you can start to make longer term goals.
When the urge to smoke becomes overwhelming, try using a delay tactic. Tell yourself how you’ll feel in about 10 minutes and distract yourself. You should see the craving pass within the 10 minutes. If that is not the case, repeat that step as many times as necessary.
Joining a gym, exercising or finding new and enjoying activities, can keep you away from cigarettes as well as improving your overall health. Exercising can help ease stress. You should start off slowly if you have not exercised in quite some time. Going for a short walk is a great example of a beginner exercise. Always go to your physician before you start exercising.
Obtain the support of your loved ones in helping you quit smoking. Make it clear that you need support but that it won’t help if they are judgmental. Also, warn them that you may be bad-tempered in the beginning and that your judgment may be somewhat cloudy. Quitting is hard, but if you have the support of your friends and family you’ll be able to make it through a little easier.
Try to snack on fruits and vegetables instead of sugary snacks when you are quitting smoking. This is one way to combat the characteristic weight gain that comes with quitting. It is normal for your body to crave food during the quitting process, and the best way to silent your cravings and stabilize your mood is to eat healthy snacks.
Smoking has very strong associations with some activities, and avoiding these situations can help you stop smoking. You may associate smoking with driving or reading. Take a look at how you can change the way you do these things, so that the associations are weaker and do not make you think of cigarettes. Find something else that can take your mind off of things when this happens
If you find it too daunting to quit smoking cold-turkey, consider helping the process along by trying replacements like nicotine patches or gum. These substitutes are OTC medications that replace some of the nicotine your body is used to getting from smoking. This can ease withdrawal symptoms, and increase your chances of quitting for good.
You don’t have to go through this alone. Get some support from your loved ones. Inform them of the reasons why you’re attempting to quit, and let them assist you. In addition, it’s an excellent idea to find a support group to join. Just by chatting with others going through what you are will help you quit.
One of the keys to quitting for good is avoiding the things that make you want to smoke. For instance, change things like smoking when driving or reading so that you don’t automatically think about your smoking habit. Try to find some type of distraction that will serve as a substitute.
Be sure to reward yourself for small milestones on your stop smoking journey. If you can go for a full week without smoking a single cigarette, reward yourself with a new shirt or a movie ticket. Once a months has past, go out for a special meal. After that, continue to reward yourself once in awhile until smoking is no longer on your mind at all.
You need to accept that you’ll need help to quit. Inform your family and friends of your plan to quit, and accept their love, encouragement, and support as you fight your battle. You might also want to consider joining a support group for people that are trying to stop smoking. Being with others who are in the same boat may be helpful.
Many people have found that switching brands can help on your quitting journey. Switching to a poor brand can negatively alter your perception of smoking. Don´t smoke more than normal or in a different way. This technique will get you into a mindset to quit smoking.
If you wish to steer clear of strong cravings and feelings of withdrawal, see if you can come up with healthy methods for managing stress. You may find it helpful to work out during the most difficult part of the day, learn a new skill or hobby, or book massages on a regular schedule. Identify things you can do if you have unexpected downtime. Read an engrossing book or call a friend for example.
Let your family and friends know that you plan to quit smoking. They will support you and keep reminding you that you must quit. The absolute best way to help you quit is to have a strong support system. A solid support system greatly improves your chances of quitting permanently.
One helpful way to start quitting is to switch to a different brand of cigarettes. Consider smoking a brand you don’t like. Some people find this helpful. This will help you in your efforts to quit.
Stop cold turkey- it will be hard, but worth it. This is the best method of beginning your quest. Just try to stop completely and never pick up another cigarette. This is the best method as, if you can adhere to it, it never fails. However, do not let this deter you. Quitting cold turkey is one of the most effective ways to quit.
If smoking at home, make sure to thoroughly clean the house, when quitting. Clean your carpets and furnishings, launder all your curtains or drapes, and wash down all the walls in your home. This will make your home smell great and make it so that entering your home doesn’t trigger the need to smoke.
When you think about quitting cigarettes, approach it as a positive thing you are doing for yourself rather than something you need to endure. You will find it easier to achieve positive results, if you view the choice in that light. Think of how it will change your life, and that the benefits of smoking are so important compared to the few detriments. Repeating these ideas to yourself will help you maintain your motivation and dedication.
Plan out how you’re going to successfully deal with stress. Lighting a cigarette is, for many smokers, an instant reaction to a stressful event. Having an alternate activity planned to deal with stress can help you avoid smoking. Make sure you also have a backup plan, on the chance that the first one does not help.
Smoking may have previously provided you with a form of stress relief. If you have done this, you need to look for different techniques on how to relax when you’re stressed out. Consider yoga, meditation or even enjoying a walk outdoors. Any of these activities can help you to relax, easing your body and mind away from feeling stressed.
Giving up cigarettes is not easy, and there’s no magic cure-all. Don’t let this discourage you, it is possible for you to quit. You can make good progress by following the tips here and finding positive support and motivation. Give them a try and you may be pleasantly surprised.
Consult your physician on medications that you could use in helping you quit. There have been a lot of advances made in terms of how to quit smoking. There are many options in this area, including nicotine substitutes and anti-withdrawal medications. Ask your doctor what they recommend to help you quit for good.