You may think that quitting smoking requires you to double up on willpower so that you never give into temptation or touch a cigarette again. While such tactics may actually help, it really doesn’t need to be quite that difficult. There are many smoking cessation aids and techniques that will assist you in your efforts to quit.
If you want to be successful at quitting smoking, try making a list of all the pros and cons quitting will bring you. Putting the issue in writing will help you to see it more clearly. Quitting smoking can be difficult, as this can help facilitate the process.
You should try to ease the pain of quitting as much as possible. Trying to quit by going cold turkey is never a good idea. By doing this, you are almost certain to fail. Because nicotine is so addicting, a patch, medication, or therapy may be helpful. These will help you through those initial withdrawal stages, which should make quitting smoking easier.
Make a list of methods you can use to help you quit smoking. Customizing and personalizing the list will make it more effective. Each person does things their own way. Identify strategies that will work for you. That’s the purpose of making a personalized list.
Concentrate on each day as it comes to help you stop smoking. Instead of thinking about stopping forever, think about taking it one day at a time. Reaching your goal one day at a time is easier to deal with mentally and physically. There is nothing wrong with setting long-term goals, but get comfortable with the day-to-day commitment of smoking cessation first.
Try exercising or joining a gym to keep you from smoking, and to better your health. Exercise is a proven stress-reliever, and people who are quitting smoking will need stress relievers! If you have been leading a sedentary lifestyle, start slow, such as taking leisurely walks every couple of days and building up from there. Speak to your physician before beginning an exercise routine.
Joining a gym, exercising or finding new and enjoying activities, can keep you away from cigarettes as well as improving your overall health. A good workout also eases a lot of the stress out of your day. Do not let your lack of exercise impede you. Start small and move forward from there. Don’t exercise without consulting your physician about what are safe and appropriate exercises for you.
Nicotine replacement therapy can be an effective weapon in breaking the smoking habit. Nicotine withdrawal causes several unpleasant mental symptoms, including restlessness, irritability, depression, and frustration. Cravings can be difficult to ignore. Therapies like nicotine replacement therapy can be helpful. Research has shown that people who make use of nicotine gum, lozenges, or patches can have twice the chances of quitting smoking successfully. Avoid nicotine replacements like lozenges or gum if you’re still smoking.
If you find it difficult to stop smoking by yourself, speak with a medical professional. Prescription medication may make quitting smoking easier to handle. They are not for everybody, so this discussion should also include your detailed medical history. Your doctor may also be able to provide information about support groups, hotlines, or other resources that can improve your chances of successfully quitting.
Make a study of what triggers your smoking, and then find ways to avoid your triggers. For instance, change things like smoking when driving or reading so that you don’t automatically think about your smoking habit. Find something else to distract you during those times.
If you are not able to quit cold turkey, look into products made specifically for aiding the process. These include gum and patches. These over-the-counter products will supply nicotine to your body during your quitting efforts. They can ward off the maddening physical withdrawal symptoms.
Talk to your doctor about quitting smoking. Your doctor may be able to refer you to a support group or have knowledge of specialists in your area. Once you have talked about your situation, the doctor may prescribe a drug to help you overcome nicotine addiction.
If you really care about your loved ones, you should stop smoking as soon as you can. Secondhand smoke has been shown to be dangerous because it causes cancer, and other health problems. It will do well for the health of your entire household when you quit smoking. Quitting smoking now will make you and everyone around you healthier.
When you commit to quitting smoking, plan out appropriate rewards for every milestone you achieve. For instance, enjoy a movie with a special friend after the first week has gone by. Once you’ve passed that month long milestone, enjoy a fancy night out at your favorite restaurant. As you meet future milestones, you may wish to either increase your rewards or simply phase them out.
Motivation and a positive attitude are key points when you are trying to stop smoking. Try to imagine how fulfilled your life will become when you finally quit. Remind yourself of how much better your breath, clothes, and home will smell, and how much easier it will be to keep your teeth white. While knowing the dangers of smoking may scare some into putting the tobacco down, it can be an enormous benefit to consider the benefits of quitting too.
Some smokers find cutting back on smoking is a good start. This can be an effective way to begin the process of eliminating smoking. Do not smoke in the first hour when you wake up if you are planning on having a cigarette. Try smoking only a half cigarette in order to help you cut back on how much you smoke.
Each time you hit a landmark in your regimen to stop smoking, reward yourself. Choose rewards which will be given when you have quit for 24 hours, 7 days and then 4 weeks. Stick your list on the fridge or another place where you will notice it often. This will keep you motivated when it’s tough to stay on track.
Look at quitting as something you are earning, rather than something you are sacrificing. When you look at any task positively, including quitting smoking, it is easier to stay focused and motivated. Your life is valuable, and will be vastly improved if you stop smoking. You will stay motivated and be more likely to succeed.
If you’re trying to stop smoking, stay away from situations or places that could tempt you to smoke. Try a change of pace if you are used to having that first cigarette in the morning with coffee or with cocktails at the end of the workday. If you don’t go to happy hour, you may be able to avoid the cravings.
If you’re experiencing a craving for a cigarette, try taking deep breaths. This relaxing task can allow you to focus on your feelings and remind yourself of your reasons for quitting. Furthermore, deep breathing increases oxygen intake and encourages you to feel refreshed. Deep breathing can be done anywhere and the techniques are easy to do.
When you make the decision to quit smoking, write down all of your motivating factors. Put the list somewhere you can always see it to remind you of the reasons that you need to remain strong. Look at it whenever you feel like lighting up again.
If you have an oral fixation associated with your smoking habit, find new ways to occupy your mouth. You can carry a lot of gum or candy, which can be used to distract your mouth. Others find electronic cigarettes offer fast relief.
If others harass you to quit smoking, remember that it is with the best of intentions. If you decide to quit to get some peace and quiet, you will end up lacking the necessary motivation. Do not allow criticisms from others to direct your life; work on your own terms to meet your goal. If you find something to replace smoking with, you might forget you’re quitting altogether.
Follow a sensible diet. You shouldn’t try to diet during the same time that you’re trying to quit smoking. You want to keep your body at normal levels somewhere, so practice a normal balanced diet as you normally would. Some research shows that smokers get an unpleasant taste in their mouths after eating foods such as dairy products, vegetables and fruit. You need these items as part of a healthy diet; quit smoking so you can get your taste buds back.
Hopefully, this article has provided you with a variety of ways to create a solid plan to quit smoking. You may experience a setback or two, but the key is to keep trying. Use the tips here and do not get frustrated even if you fail at first. It often takes people many tries before they finally succeed.
Once you make the decision to stop smoking, it is critical that you resolve to persevere. Those who have tried unsuccessfully in the past to quit smoking have finally succeeded. If you suffer a setback, determine why it happened, but get up and move forward.