The task of quitting smoking can break the will of even the most determined person. Even if you really want to quit, something can always draw you back if you’re not prepared. Take some insights from this article to heart and use them to make the psychological and physical break from that cigarette habit.
Look for a support group to help you quit smoking. The best groups have a mix of new quitters, and people who have quit for a while. It can be helpful to you to speak to people who know what you’re going through, who also can identify with the physical and emotional strain you may be experiencing. You will receive wonderful advice and support from these kinds of people as they have been in your shoes before. It is possible to find support groups at many places like churches, colleges, or rec centers.
Hypnosis has proven to be an effective stop smoking method for many people. A licensed hypnotist will provide you with tools which can’t be found elsewhere. The hypnotist will supply you with positive reinforcement while you are in a deep trance. It can make cigarettes seem less appetizing, leading you to never want to smoke again.
Ensure you go about it one step at a time. Quitting can be a lengthy process. Because of this, it’s counterproductive to think too far ahead. Simply worry about today and take it day by day, trying to eliminate your smoking habits in the present, as this in turn, will change the future.
Treat smoking cessation like kicking any other addiction: as a series of days of sobriety. Quitting smoking is a task that needs to be dealt with methodically. Don’t waste your time thinking about next year, next month or even next week. Just go through it one day at a time, just getting rid of the smoking habit in the short term.
If you want to stop smoking, tell your loved ones about your plans. They can help support you in your choice. This could be the nudge in the right direction you need to quit smoking.
If you’re trying to stop smoking, let your friends and family know. Informing loved ones of your plans will give them the ability to help you with your journey. This could be the nudge in the right direction you need to quit smoking.
One of the best things you can do when stopping smoking is to live day-to-day. Make your goals very short and attainable – one day at a time. Sometimes having a shorter timeline makes things easier on you mentally and physically. Long term goals will come when you’ve quit for a while and are better able to handle the daily grind.
Taking things slowly can help you quit smoking. Take your journey day by day, focusing on the moment instead of the future. If you take things in a shorter time frame, it is often easier to cope with the stress. Long term goals will come when you’ve quit for a while and are better able to handle the daily grind.
Smoking cessation is one of the few times when it is best to procrastinate; delay tactics are often an effective strategy. Try to distract your mind and your body for 10 minutes by going for a walk or calling a friend; in this time your urge will probably have passed. If not, repeat this step as often as needed.
To avoid experiencing weight gain after you quit smoking, eat a healthy diet filled with fruits and vegetables. People can gain weight when they stop smoking, so be mindful of what you put into your mouth, making these veggie snacks a great idea. Keep in mind that quitting will make you hungry, so you may as well feed yourself something healthy.
Your loved ones will almost certainly support your desire to kick a bad habit and get moving with a healthier lifestyle. It is vital you tell them you need and value their support, and you can do without them being judgmental. Initially, you may suffer from mood swings and cloudy judgement and the people around you should be aware of it. Quitting smoking can be very difficult, so it’s critical that you have the support of those who are close to you at this time.
If you simply cannot quit smoking straight out, make use of nicotine gums or skin patches. These medications, many of which are available over the counter, keep the level of nicotine in your system steady as you work on not smoking. They can prevent some of the uncomfortable physical symptoms associated with smoking cessation.
Having a positive attitude and plenty of motivation can directly affect how easy it is for you to quit smoking. Imagine your life after smoking where you’re healthier, happier, and able to stick to your monthly budget with a little left over. 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. Thinking about all the good that can happen as a result of quitting can be just as motivational as thinking about the bad.
Support System
Practice becoming a good quitter until you can permanently quit smoking. The ex-smokers you know probably were not successful on their first try. Quit smoking, and just plan on going as long as you can without starting back up. If you backslide and give in to a cigarette, set another date to quit. Just continue to quit and try to stop longer each time, and continue to learn along your journey. Eventually, you’ll get so good at it that you’ll quit one time and just not go back.
Be sure your family and friends know you’re quitting smoking. They are your support system, and are there to remind you to stay resolute in your attempts to quit smoking. Having people around you that builds a support system has got to be one of the best ways you can stop smoking. This will help you significantly increase your chance of successfully quitting smoking.
If you smoke in your home, give it a very thorough cleaning when you quit. Steam-clean or shampoo your carpet and furniture, scrub the walls and wash your curtains and drapes. Your entire house will be refreshed, and the stale smoke odor will not linger around to remind you of smoking.
Reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke a little each day. This is a good way to ease into the idea of quitting altogether. Try waiting at least one hour after waking before having your first cigarette for the day. Try smoking only half a cigarette to reduce your smoking.
Get a calendar and mark off the milestones you’re looking to reach and which rewards you’ll receive when you get there. Write down a list of rewards you will allow yourself when you have stopped smoking for a day, a week and a month. Make sure that you put your reward list in a spot where you can see it daily. You might be surprised by how much these rewards can motivate you to overcome obstacles.
Quit as many times as you need to. Very few smokers are successful at quitting the first time they try. Try it out for yourself by quitting and just seeing how long you can hang on before picking the habit back up. If you backslide and give in to a cigarette, set another date to quit. Just keep quitting and go longer each time, learning along the way. After a while, you should be able to quit for the very last time.
Consider ahead of time how you are going to handle stress in your life. Most smokers use cigarettes to calm themselves during stressful moments. Therefore, it is essential that you develop a strategy on what to do when stress occurs. Have a lot of ideas, in case your initial idea does not help.
Get a calendar and mark off the milestones you’re looking to reach and which rewards you’ll receive when you get there. Pick valuable achievement dates such as 24 hours, one week and one month since your quit date. For motivational reasons, make sure you have your reward chart somewhere it is easily seen by you. Seeing your future rewards may give you that extra bit of motivation you need when you are feeling weak.
Make a vow to never take another puff again. While a quick puff during those intense cravings may not seem like a terrible idea, it can disrupt your entire strategy and set you back a long time. Remember that having “just one” can exacerbate your cravings and get you on the wrong path.
Try to plan out how you will cope with the stressful times. Most smokers use cigarettes to calm themselves during stressful moments. If you possess a backup plan of options available, you will be less likely to light up. Make sure the list has more than one option on it, in case you need access to more.
Talking to a counselor may help you quit. Some people smoke as a result of emotional issues. Once you deal with the issue, urges to smoke may become less frequent. Talk to your physician about referring you to a reputable practitioner.
When you stop smoking, it does not have to cause stress or seem unattainable. You can do it with willpower and fierce determination, so start planning your program to quit with the helpful tips from this article today. You might just surprise yourself by what you are capable of when you really put your mind to it!
When you decide you want to quit, it’s key to not give up. Many who stop smoking had made various past attempts before finally succeeding. If you have a setback, figure out why you relapsed, and then get up and get going again.