Quitting the smoking habit is not easy for anyone, even those who are very strong willed. The truth is that people still feel attached to cigarettes even when they want to quit. Read on for some advice about how to detach emotionally from smoking so that you can permanently quit.
Write down reasons why you should quit to increase the chances that you actually do quit. Writing things down can change your whole mindset. It will help you stay motivated and focused on success, possibly making quitting a little easier.
Tell your family and friends, if you plan on quitting smoking. You will feel that you don’t want to let them down by smoking again, helping to keep you motivated. This could potentially be the push you need to remain motivated and actually quit.
Discuss your desire to quit smoking with your doctor. Some medications can make it easier to quit smoking. Your doctor may have other resources on hand as well, such as support groups and toll-free hotlines where you can discuss your struggle.
Commitment is key to quitting smoking, so are you able to commit to never smoking again? You must answer yes to this question before you start quitting. Too many people try to quit on a whim and then fail when they are faced with serious obstacles. Help yourself stay motivated by remembering everything that caused you to want to quit, and write them down to help keep them on your mind.
Do not try to quit all alone. Get some support from your loved ones. Inform them of the reasons why you’re attempting to quit, and let them assist you. Consider joining a support group. Having a talk with those who are sharing the same experience can help you through the process.
Secondhand Smoke
Cravings seem to come most often when an individual is feeling stressed. To keep yourself from falling victim to this, find a healthy alternative for stress relief. Try the gym. Consider developing a new hobby. What about getting a massage? Try to avoid idle time, and instead, find pleasant distractions. Reading, crafting or visiting friends all work well.
Stop smoking to benefit your loved ones, and their health. Secondhand smoke can negatively impact one’s overall health, and tarnish their lungs. Quitting reduces your family’s exposure to secondhand smoke, so they will be less likely to get seriously ill if you quit. That means that your whole family will benefit from you quitting.
Reduce the number of cigarettes that you smoke. This can begin the process of quitting the habit altogether. When you first wake up each morning, try to be up for at least one hour before you light up the first cigarette of the day. Try smoking only a half cigarette in order to help you cut back on how much you smoke.
Switching the band of cigarette you smoke can help lead you to quitting. This can be especially effective if you buy a brand you know is unpleasant in taste or smell. Don´t smoke more than normal or in a different way. You will be less likely to smoke if you don’t enjoy it as much.
The absolute best advice to help you quit smoking is to just do it. Stopping is the only way to start the quitting process. You can put down the pack, the trick is never looking back. Commit to stopping, period. However, this method has been shown to actually be more effective, as time goes by.
Practice becoming a good quitter until you can permanently quit smoking. Most ex-smokers you know probably didn’t find success their first time. Stop smoking, and just plan on going as long as you can without starting back up. If you do relapse, set a new date to quit again. Each time you quit, learn from your previous mistakes, and make the quit last longer. Eventually, you will become good at quitting and one time you will quit and never go back.
You may want to avoid activities associated with smoking once you decide to quit. You need to change your routine if smoking is a regular part of your life. If you smoke while you drink your coffee or while have cocktails with friends, you may need to stop doing those things. Having your coffee in the car or avoiding the bar allows you to short circuit your cravings.
Cold Turkey
Just say “no” to cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. It is easy to tell yourself that one cigarette will be fine, but it may undo all of your dedication and hard work, and it really isn’t worth it in the long run. Remember that having “just one” can exacerbate your cravings and get you on the wrong path.
Stop cold turkey- it will be hard, but worth it. Stopping completely is the only way to really quit. Once you stop, don’t allow yourself to begin again. This strategy might seem tough. However, do not let this deter you. Quitting cold turkey is one of the most effective ways to quit.
Today is the day to quit smoking! Don’t set a date in the future that hinges on something else, start today and create the plan and backups that you need to be successful. Quitting today will stop you from taking another step towards a possibly fatal illness. Your family is also affected by your smoking, as secondhand smoke has shown to be deadly.
Your success is contingent on maintaining your motivation. This can be accomplished by posting motivational sayings in your office, or by wearing bracelets to symbolize your intentions. You can also purchase yourself a piece of jewelry to wear as a visual reminder of your dedication to stop smoking.
Start exercising regularly. You’ll be able to breathe better almost immediately after quitting, so exercising won’t be as difficult as it has been in the past. You will also avoid gaining weight. The endorphins released during exercise are in no way a substitute for the nicotine addiction, but can really help to reduce some of the cravings.
Seek out support through online support communities and forums. Many websites are dedicated to helping you quit. It could be helpful to compare your techniques for quitting with other people. Furthermore, you can rest assured that the people you discuss your issues with will understand where you are coming from.
If you fail trying to quit smoking the first time, do not become discouraged. Most people quit several times before quitting successfully. Know where you made a mistake, and learn from your mistakes before you attempt to quit yet again. What you learn from one failure can help you to avoid another.
While you are in the process of quitting smoking, consume vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts. This will help you quit for a few reasons. If you have something to occupy your mouth and hands, you can substitute the behavior of smoking. The regular consumption of these particular foods can also minimize any weight gain. They’ll also boost your mood and help to rejuvenate your body.
When you want to quite smoking, think of it as a favor you are doing for yourself instead of a sacrifice you are making. When you see the benefits of quitting, it will be easier. Remember how very valuable it will be in your life, and how the pros of quitting far outweigh the cons. Stay focused on the positive motivating factors involved in your choice.
Find someone that you can call on for support in case you feel tempted to smoke while you’re trying to quit. Let a family member or friend know that you are struggling. Not only is the time spent talking a great distraction until the temptation to smoke passes, it is always comforting to know you are not fighting this battle alone.
Create a mantra consisting of your major motivations to quit smoking. Every time your resolve wavers, repeat the reasons you’re quitting until you don’t crave tobacco. This can take your mind off your withdrawals, and keep it on other positive things that will help get you through this short, yet difficult period.
Create a mantra which details why you’re quitting. Anytime you feel a strong craving coming on, repeat this mantra to yourself. This will allow you to take control of your addiction, in an effort to optimize your chance for success.
Get family and friends to help once you commit to stopping. You should let as many people as possible know that you will be trying to quit smoking. Their support, care and encouragement can really make a big difference between quitting and falling back off of the wagon. You can also maximize your chances for success by joining a support group for people trying to quit or working with a therapist.
Rally the support of your loved ones. You should let as many people as possible know that you will be trying to stop smoking. They can support and encourage you, which can make a big difference to you. In addition, you might want to think about obtaining behavior therapy or joining a support group to help you quit.
If you know that you have an oral fixation as part of your addiction, find other things so your mouth stays active. A lot of people that are quitting smoking find it useful to carry gum or hard candy on them at all times. For other people, electronic cigarettes fit the bill.
As you now understand, stopping smoking need not be a nightmare. By using the advice from this article and staying focused, it is possible to effectively quit smoking. You will be surprised to learn all you are capable of doing when determination sets in.
Whether you succeed or fail the first time, you need to go into quitting with the mentality that you will persevere until the end. A large majority of people that quit smoking for ever have had several previous attempts that were not successful. If you hit a snag, see why you had the relapse, and then keep going.