Science has proven nicotine that is present in cigarettes is extremely addictive. Trying to stay away from cigarettes, therefore, can be very hard for a smoker. Educate yourself on strategies that have worked for other people to maximize your chances of success.
When you have made the decision to stop smoking, try seeking out help from a support group. Support groups can help you learn how to cope with the physical and emotional challenges you may experience while quitting. These individuals can offer support, guidance, and great tips to help you quit. Support groups can often be found at your local church, recreational center, or community college.
When you decide to stop smoking, tell your family and friends. When you trust those around you with information like this, they can help keep you motivated, as well as keeping temptation at bay. This may give you more of a push to keep trying to quit.
If you want to give in to a craving, put it off as long as possible. Make yourself do some other activity first, even just taking a walk around the house or drinking a cup of tea. Sometimes, these delaying tactics provide enough time for the craving to pass before you ever light up. You may decide not to smoke it at all.
If you cannot quit cold turkey, replace your cigarettes with nicotine patches or gums. Using these nicotine-providing OTC products in conjunction with your own personal willpower will fight off the rough symptoms of withdrawal.
If you’re trying to quit smoking, let your friends and family know. By entrusting the people close to you with your plan, you give them the power to help you succeed. The help of these people can keep you focused on your plan to quit smoking.
Nicotine Replacement
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. A sensible diet will help prevent any weight gain you might otherwise experience. Eating a healthy diet will give you the strength and stamina that you need to stay focused on your goal.
You may want to think about trying nicotine replacements. Nicotine withdrawal can lead you feeling restless, irritable, frustrated or depressed. Sometimes, the craving for nicotine can seem to be more than you can handle. Nicotine replacement products such as gum can be very effective in dealing with cravings. Studies have shown that people who use nicotine replacement therapy double their chance of success. It is not recommended that you use a nicotine replacement product and smoke at the same time, though.
Get the support of your loved ones, so you can quit smoking more easily. Communicate your need for support, so that they can understand their important roles, rather than becoming judgmental or doubtful. Make sure you tell them that you might be a bit cranky, especially during the first few days after your last cigarette. You’ll need the support of others during this process.
Don’t try to stop smoking without support. Ask for support and encouragement from your friends and family, letting them know you want to quit and letting them give you help. Joining a support group can also be a great help. Simple discussions with other individuals who go through the things that you are going through will help you in stopping this unwanted habit.
While in the process of quitting smoking, allow yourself a reward as you reach certain milestones. For instance, after your first smoke-free week you could go to a movie. After a longer period of time, you can treat yourself to something more expensive or elegant. Build up the rewards until you are completely free of cigarettes.
It is important to find ways to cope with nicotine withdrawals, in order to keep from giving in to your cravings and the stress they may cause. You may find it helpful to work out during the most difficult part of the day, learn a new skill or hobby, or book massages on a regular schedule. When you’ve got down time, try to surround yourself with some pleasant distractions like going out with friends, playing games, or reading a book.
If you wish to steer clear of strong cravings and feelings of withdrawal, see if you can come up with healthy methods for managing stress. That could mean hitting the gym at the time of day when your cravings are worst, picking up a new hobby or getting a regular massage appointment. Give yourself enjoyable distractions to keep you away from smoking, such as playing with your pets or kids.
Cut back before you quit. This will help you get started on your journey to stop smoking. Avoid smoking when you first wake up. You can smoke just one half a cigarette rather than a whole one to cut down on your smoking.
A major factor in terms of quitting will be your positive thinking and your motivation to quit. Try to imagine how good your life is going to be after you quit. Quitting smoking can improve your smell, you teeth, and eliminate the odors from your home and car. Although knowing the negative aspects of smoking can scare some people into quitting, thinking about positive changes can be beneficial as well.
Develop a system of daily reminders about why you want to quit as well as motivational messages to help you. Surround yourself with motivational notes, or attach meaning to a piece of jewelry, wearing it often. Whatever method you use, the visual reminders might be helpful in combating the cravings at a later time.
Just stop smoking if you really want to quit. Make up your mind that your life as a non-smoker begins today. Don’t ever start back up. This method may appear somewhat harsh. It has, however, proven to be highly effective.
Plan ahead for how you will handle stressful events that might arise. When faced with stress, many smokers light up as if on autopilot. You’re less likely to give in to this temptation if you put a plan in place for dealing with stress. It is best to have a few different methods to choose from.
Keep your motivation to quit smoking in your mind and vision all of the time. This might mean keeping an inspirational quote or image at work or in your wallet to remember why you’re quitting. However you decide to do this, it will help keep a visual reminder of your dedication to quit, motivating you in the grips of temptation.
Think of how your smoking affects those that you love, and how it may ultimately rob them of years with you. Statistics prove that one in five deaths in America are related to smoking. You don’t want to be another statistic.
Consider keeping a photograph of your family with you at all times while you quit smoking to remind you of your motivation. Roughly twenty percent of Americans die from smoking-related causes. There is no need for you to be one of those statistics.
Look for opportunities to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Once you have stop smoking, it will be easier to adopt a fitness program. Endurance and lung capacity will improve noticeably. It can also help to avoid putting on pounds thanks to a slower metabolic rate. Exercise produces endorphins, which do not replace nicotine highs, but do ease the withdrawal symptoms.
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. As an added bonus, exercising will offset the changes that your metabolism might undergo when you quit and this will help you gain as little weight as possible.
If you do not succeed at quitting initially, don’t beat up on yourself or get discouraged. Sometimes, even the perfect plan will fail due to the circumstances. Make a note of what triggered your relapse and make an effort to avoid it in the future. You may triumph the next time.
Talking to a counselor may help you quit. There are sometimes emotional factors influencing people to smoke. As these issues are addressed, the desire to smoke may disappear. Talk to your physician about referring you to a reputable practitioner.
Instead of smoking, go for a run or bike ride. An exercise session triggers release of mood-elevating endorphins and also provides a needed distraction from thinking about smoking. Exercise also helps to compensate for your metabolism slowing down as you quit, which will help you minimize the weight gain you experience.
When it’s time to stop smoking, write down a list of things that motivate you in wanting to quit. When you find that you are struggling to find a good reason to continue with the quitting, pull out the list and use it for motivation to keep you going.
Write out your top five list of reasons for quitting smoking. Repeat them to yourself, whenever you feel the urge to smoke. This will allow you to take control of your addiction, in an effort to optimize your chance for success.
Try deep breathing techniques to calm your cravings for cigarettes. When you are focusing on your breathing, focus also on why you want to quit smoking. Furthermore, deep breathing increases oxygen intake and encourages you to feel refreshed. These breathing techniques are quite simple and can be practiced anytime or anywhere.
List all of the reasons why you should quit smoking. Every time you question your motivation, revisit the reasons on that list.
An oral fixation can play a big part in smoking addictions. If this applies to you, try to find other innovative ways to satisfy this habit. You might want to stock hard candy or gum in your desk drawer or keep it in your purse if you are trying to quit smoking. Electronic cigarettes are also a great replacement for the real deal.
Resisting the urge to smoke is very tough because of the addictive nature of tobacco. Quitting can be a huge physical and emotional challenge for many people. The suggestions you have just read can assist you on your journey. With these useful tips, and your long term commitment and dedication, you can finally stop smoking, for good.
If you are trying to quit smoking, it is important to think about the challenges that you might face right after you stop. A lot of people who quit smoking, may begin smoking again soon after. One little cigarette is very tempting when you’re bored or stressed out. Make sure you understand those things that trigger your desire to smoke.