While almost everyone understands the risk of smoking cigarettes, few are able to overcome the addiction and let it convince them to not even start trying to quit. However, if you adopt an optimistic mindset and a willingness to persevere, you will significantly increase your chances for success. Follow these strategies, and you will see that quitting smoking is a lot easier than you imagined.
Let your family and friends know if you plan to quit smoking. Other people knowing about your goal will both hold you accountable and give you a support system. This could be the nudge in the right direction you need to quit smoking.
Take things day by day. Just work on avoiding tobacco today, forever will take care of itself. 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.
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. You will often find it easier from a psychological standpoint to accomplish things on a shorter timeline. You can always have more goals that go well into the future as soon as you get comfortable with the commitment to quit.
Tell your relatives that you are quitting, so that they can provide support. It’s key that you leverage their support, but tell them not to judge you. Make sure you tell them that you might be a bit cranky, especially during the first few days after your last cigarette. Quitting is one of the most difficult things a smoker may have to go through in their life and gaining the support of your loved ones is imperative to your success.
If you are attempting to stop smoking, make sure you get ample sleep. The longer you stay up, the more cravings you’ll face. The wee hours are also times when you are more likely to be alone and less likely to be observed by others. Aiming for eight solid hours of sleep every night can help you retain your focus while allowing you to keep your cravings under control.
Make a commitment to quitting smoking before you begin figuring out how to do so. You can be more successful at quitting if you have the best mindset. 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.
Discuss your desire to quit smoking with your doctor. There are medications available to help you stop smoking or to make the process easier. Your physician can also introduce you to a network of support, including hotlines and groups, that will make it more likely that you will quit.
In order to prevent giving in to your nicotine withdrawal symptoms, discover healthier methods of dealing with this stress. Try to coincide a trip to the gym with your worst withdrawal times. New hobbies are also a good way to cope with the symptoms. Massages can also be very helpful. Fill your downtime with enjoyable, lighthearted distractions – the latest novel, date night or a cultural outing.
Ask your doctor for help to quit smoking. Your doctor may be able to suggest quitting resources of which you were previously unaware. He can also prescribe you medication to help treat anxiety and stress, deal with cravings or other health issues which appear when you quit.
One strategy to help you quit smoking is to make a brand switch. Consider switching to a brand of cigarettes that you don’t care for. Do not smoke a greater quantity if you have chosen to purchase light cigarettes. This is a great first step down the road to quitting!
What impact is your smoking having on the health of your loved ones? Consider the dangers of secondhand smoke and realize that you are putting your family at risk of falling victim to these dangers every day. This should certainly motivate you to stop. Your health, and the health of those you love, will improve dramatically when you quit. That means that your whole family will benefit from you quitting.
Stop Smoking
Thoroughly clean your home, car and wardrobe to get rid of the smell of smoke. Shampoo your carpets and upholstery, wash your walls and launder your drapes or curtains. 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.
When you are going to stop smoking, let your family and friends know. They can provide a valuable resource and help you through tough times. Studies have shown that employing a familial support system is one of best ways to stop smoking. This will boost your chances of finally being smoke free for life.
Psychologically train yourself to handle any type of stressful situation that might come about. When a stressful occurrence happens, smokers are typically used to just lighting up a cigarette and smoking their stress away. Having a plan in place will ensure you don’t fall prey to your cravings. By having a plan in place, you will be able avoid the urge to smoke.
A strong and positive mental attitude can go a long way in helping you to stop smoking. Think positively about how your life is going to be so much better once you quit smoking. Know that your breath will be fresher, your teeth will appear cleaner and your home will smell better. Thinking about negative things can help you stop smoking, but also try to think of positive aspects.
You may want to avoid activities associated with smoking once you decide to quit. If you are used to smoking while you drink coffee in the morning or during your office happy hour, think about altering your routine. Drinking your coffee as you commute or in a coffee shop and staying away from bars for a while can keep your cravings at bay.
As mentioned in the beginning of this article, some smokers wish to quit but do not have the willpower to do so. Most successful quitters are able to do so because they set up some sort of plan to help them avoid smoking. The tips and advice you have read here can help you create your own plan, and finally kick that habit.
Your family and loved ones offer the greatest motivation for quitting. They can be affected by not only your possible illness or death, but also by negative health consequences from being around your smoke. The health statistics clearly indicate a huge number deaths that are directly attributed to smoking cigarettes. Do not become a number!