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. Quitting comes about through determination and a positive attitude, along with some helpful tips such as the ones down below. Use these tips in your plan to stop smoking, and you will learn that it is a little more simple than you first thought.
Writing down a list of positives and negatives about quitting can help increase your chance succeeding. When you write something down, it can work to adjust your frame of mind. This can help you stay motivated, and may make quitting easier.
If you find it too daunting to stop smoking cold-turkey, consider helping the process along by trying replacements like nicotine patches or gum. These nicotine replacements will help you quit by supplying your body with a small amount of the drug to help curb withdrawal.
If you want to give in to a craving, put it off as long as possible. Take a long walk or watch a television program to get your mind off smoking. Sometimes, these delaying tactics provide enough time for the craving to pass before you ever light up. If you still feel you need that cigarette, delaying it may mean you will be smoking at least one less on that particular day.
Loved Ones
Going cold turkey to quit smoking isn’t the smartest idea, try and get supplements to help you along the way, things like nicotine patches or gum. These products deliver small doses of nicotine to your body to help wean off the addiction without the pain and stress of withdrawal.
Stop smoking now, not only for yourself, but for any loved ones that you have. People exposed to secondhand smoke are at higher risk for developing a number of different cancers and other conditions. When you quit, you lower their exposure to secondhand smoke. This means that not only will quitting make you healthier, it will make your loved ones healthier too.
Before you even think of beginning the process to quit smoking, you must be willing to stay committed. Lots of people fail when they try to quit due to the fact that they didn’t have the proper mindset, or they simply gave up too fast. You may stay committed through thinking of the reasons why you want to quit.
Many people have found that switching brands can help on your quitting journey. Start using a brand you dislike or a cigarette you find distasteful. Smoke them exactly like you smoked your favorite brand, so you get the full experience of their nastiness. This can help you stop smoking.
If you are considering quitting, have a frank discussion with a doctor. Your doctor might have what you need to quit. Your doctor may want you on a prescription medicine to help you quit.
Stop cold turkey- it will be hard, but worth it. Stopping is where you need to begin. Once you stop, don’t allow yourself to begin again. It may seem quite difficult to do it this way. It has been proven to be very effective, in long term cases.
When you quit smoking you’ll not only help your own health, but that of your loved ones as well. Secondhand smoke can cause various dangerous health conditions, and diseases like cancer. Your family members will spend less time exposed to the dangers of secondhand smoke when you stop smoking. Not only will stopping smoking make you a much healthier person, but it will also improve the health of your loved ones as well.
During the first few weeks of your quitting attempt, stay away from activities that you associate with smoking. Changing your routine will help to curb your cravings if you associate smoking with things like a cigarette at the bus stop or with your friends in a bar. Drinking coffee on your way to work in the car, or finding a new hangout besides the bar, will give you a chance to minimize familiar triggers and cravings.
The best place to start when quitting smoking, is to just stop. The most effective way to quit is just stop. Just try to stop completely and never pick up another cigarette. This method may appear somewhat harsh. However, some studies show that quitting cold turkey can be easiest way to quit.
The first week after you start quitting smoking is the most difficult. For the first two days after quitting, your body rids itself of the highly addictive nicotine, leading to physical withdrawal. Once that is gone, your feelings of craving will stem from psychological causes. Psychological cravings can be difficult to resist, but you won’t be suffering from physical withdrawal.
If you smoke at home, clean your place thoroughly, so it doesn’t smell of smoke. 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.
Do not feel defeated if you are not successful on your first attempt at quitting. Even the most well-organized, best intentioned quit efforts sometimes fail. Identify where you went wrong so you can learn from that moment for next time. You may triumph in your next attempt to stop smoking.
Ideally, you should remove yourself from any situation that would otherwise incite you to start smoking. Try to alter your activities during the day to avoid situations that you associate with smoking. Having coffee while inside the car or staying away from the bar enables you to stop your cravings.
Is smoking more attractive to you in times of stress? If that is the case, then you need to explore other options for dealing with stress when it happens. What about yoga or meditation?
Try to maximize exercise and lifting during the course of the day. Once you have quit smoking, your lung capacity will start to improve and you will begin to find exercising easier. Regular physical exercise can also help you to keep your body weight under control. Although you might still feel nicotine cravings, you won’t have as difficult a time with withdrawal symptoms if you exercise. Exercising causes endorphins to surge through your system, giving you a sense of happiness and well-being.
If you find that your cravings are getting the best of you and are having trouble fighting the urge to smoke, contact someone for support. It doesn’t matter whether that person is a family member or a friend, reach out and tell them about how great your craving is to have a smoke. Spending time on the phone will distract you while the craving passes, and it is good to know you have support in your battle with nicotine.
Get rid of anything in your life that reminds you of smoking. Scour your house to find all ashtrays, lighters and empty packs, and throw them away. Clean your home from top to bottom and launder all your clothing to eliminate the odor of smoke. Doing this will prevent items that remind you of smoking from triggering your craving for a cigarette.
Talking to a counselor may help you quit. There may be an emotional reason which makes you want to smoke. Dealing with such issues may also help your urge to smoke disappear. Ask your doctor to refer you to a counselor if you’re interested in this kind of help.
Smoking has probably been something you used to help you go through stressful situations. If so, you will have to replace that with some other form of relaxation. Meditation, yoga and deep breathing techniques are all a great way to help relieve stress and stay smoke-free.
Write down a mantra for why you are quitting. Whenever you feel your determination falter, recite the reasons until you conquer the craving. This can help you focus on your motivation to quit when cravings are strong.
Instead of smoking, go for a run or bike ride. After working out, the body releases endorphins. These make you feel better and are a great distraction from cigarettes. Exercise is beneficial in another way as well; it can minimize the effects of metabolism changes that happen when you stop smoking, which can help keep the extra weight gain at bay that people who quit sometimes experience.
Many people wish to stop smoking, but many can’t do it. Those who are successful form a plan of action, and find the right motivation to stay faithful to their cause. What you have read in this article should prove useful as you begin the process of quitting.
When you make the decision to stop smoking, get the help of your family and friends. Let everyone know that you have decided to quit. They can support and encourage you, which can make a big difference to you. Support groups and behavioral therapy can also offer help you in your effort to quit.