Smoking can really disrupt your everyday life. Oftentimes, sustaining a tobacco addiction means dropping a task or conversation in order to go outside for a cigarette. Keep reading the article if you wish to stop this very embarrassing habit. There are a variety of tips and techniques in this article that will help you in your battle to stop smoking.
Write down the different ways that you want to try to quit smoking. Customize this list to your life and needs, in order to stop effectively. Each person has a unique way to taking care of things and accomplishing goals. You have to figure out what works best for yourself and your lifestyle. Make a list for yourself.
Joining a good support group can help you quit smoking. It is beneficial to have a network of others who are where you are and can understand what you’re going through. Having a support system can be invaluable. There may be a support group for people who are trying to quit in your community. Look at places such as community colleges or churches.
Get lots of sleep every night if you’re quitting smoking. Lots of people find that if they stay up late, they are more inclined to crave cigarettes. Late nights are also usually a time when there is no one else around, meaning that it’s easier to sneak that one cigarette. Having eight hours to rest every night will keep you focused and it will be easier for you to control your cravings.
When you are close to giving in to your cravings for a cigarette, think of a delay before you are allowed to indulge. To help you postpone your cigarette as long as possible, consider taking a walk or enjoying a some water before smoking. Sometimes, these delaying tactics provide enough time for the craving to pass before you ever light up. If you do go ahead and smoke, the delay may at least reduce your smoking for that day.
Ask your doctor to help you quit smoking. There are medications available to help you stop smoking or to make the process easier. Your doctor probably can also offer information about hot-lines, support groups and other resources that will increase the likelihood that you will be able to quit.
Be sure that you are willing to stick with your plan to stop smoking. A lot of smokers have a hard time quitting because they are not approaching the issue with the right mindset and do not have enough motivation. You may stay committed through thinking of the reasons why you want to quit.
There is a certain amount of weight gain that is often the result of stopping smoking, and eating fruits and vegetables instead of sweets is one way to help avoid this. Whatever weight you gain will likely be minimized as a result. Feed your cravings with only the healthiest foods, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
When you commit to quitting smoking, plan out appropriate rewards for every milestone you achieve. For instance, if you go a whole week with no smoking, go to a movie. On day 30 you can go out to dinner at a fancy restaurant. Continue to give yourself a reward in increasing amount to acknowledge your progress until you don’t think about the urge to smoke.
Talk to your loved ones, in order to garner their support in quitting smoking. It’s key that you leverage their support, but tell them not to judge you. They should also know that nicotine withdrawal could affect your mood initially, causing you to seem uncharacteristically short-tempered or grumpy. 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.
Let your family and friends know that you plan to quit smoking. They are there for you and they will help remind you that you need to quit. Having a system of support is one of the best methods you can use to quit. Doing so helps maximize your likelihood of success, and gets you closer to your goal.
Eliminate the triggers you associate with smoking cigarettes. Many people find that they have an association between driving and smoking, for example. In that case, you need to think of ways in advance to change your driving behavior so you’re not constantly tempted while in the car. Look for a positive alternative to fill the time and distract your mind.
If your home smells of smoke, thoroughly clean it. Steam-clean or shampoo your carpet and furniture, scrub the walls and wash your curtains and drapes. Not only will your house look and smell clean and refreshing, but you won’t be tempted by the lingering odor of cigarettes whenever you come home.
There are many healthy ways of handling stress. You might consider paying the gym a visit, or enrolling in a class that teaches you a new hobby. Even a massage or bubble bath can provide relief during times when stress is high. When you are experiencing down time, make sure you are distracted by fun things. Develop a hobby. Start engaging in an old one you haven’t done for a while. Grab lunch with a friend. Read a book. Anything that keeps you occupied is a good thing.
The first seven days without cigarettes will be the most difficult part of quitting. Keep this in mind if you feel like you can’t get through that first week. During the first two days after you stop smoking, your body will be shedding all the nicotine you have consumed. Once 48 hours have passed, your craving for nicotine will usually just be psychological. Psychological cravings can be difficult to resist, but you won’t be suffering from physical withdrawal.
Reduce smoking. This will put you in the right place to quit smoking. It is wise to hold off for at least 60 minutes prior to having the initial cigarette of each day. To cut back, try smoking 1/2 of a cigarette instead of a full one.
You may have smoked when stressed. If this is true, you’ll have to discover some other method of relaxing when you feel stressed. See if meditation or yoga helps ameliorate the stressful feelings, because they are far healthier options than smoking.
If you want to quit, you have to learn about quitting. Ask any former smoker you know; he or she probably didn’t succeed after just one attempt. Once you have committed to leaving your smoking habit behind, you must do everything in your power to ensure that you to do not fall victim to the habit again. If you do experience a setback, set a quit date and get back on track. Try quitting and remember to try longer each time, as you learn along the way. Eventually, you will get good at doing this, and you will quit and not go back.
If smoking has become bothersome, you have already begun the process of quitting. The tips you read here should help you on your journey to a smoke-free life. Start using these tips and you can finally be free of the need for cigarettes.
If your home smells of smoke, thoroughly clean it. Clean your carpets, furniture and drapes. You might even consider putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls. The smell will be refreshing and not remind you of cigarettes as you walk around your home. Keep cigarettes out of you mind by eliminating the smells.