The number of people who want to quit smoking grows every day. Smoking is not good for the health of the smoker, nor those around them. Keep reading for some very useful tips and tricks on how you can put an end to your smoking, once and for all.
Make your attempts as manageable as possible. Never choose to quit smoking by going cold turkey. 95% of the time, people who try to quit smoking using the cold turkey method will begin smoking again shortly after trying to quit. Nicotine is a drug, and like all drugs it can be physically addicting. Opt for nicotine replacements or prescription medications to help you kick the habit. This will help you to get through the early stages of withdrawal, and will make it easier to quit smoking.
Stop smoking as soon as you can. Trying to quit by going cold turkey is never a good idea. If you try quitting cold turkey, you may end up relapsing. Because nicotine is so addictive, it’s better to use therapy, nicotine replacement products, medications, or a combination of these approaches. These things will help you with any withdrawal symptoms you may experience, and make quitting successfully much more likely.
If you need to smoke, try delaying it. A simple glass of water first, or putting your smoke off until after you take a walk, can be very effective ways to delay your craving. Sometimes, taking this time to let your mind think of other things will be enough to ward off thoughts of your taking a puff. You may decide not to smoke it at all.
Support Groups
Make a list of strategies to help you quit. Take time to create a list of ideas that fits your own lifestyle and habits. Each person has a unique way to taking care of things and accomplishing goals. It is important to find what your best options are. This is easy to determine by writing your own list.
Once you’ve decided to quit smoking, find 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. It is possible to find support groups at many places like churches, colleges, or rec centers.
Ask your friends and loved ones to be supportive about your decision to quit smoking. Ask them to provide you with encouragement and not criticism. Warn them about the fact that you’ll likely be grumpier than usual as you begin the process. You could also be a bit fuzzy-brained. Quitting smoking is a difficult process, and getting the support of your friends and family is critical.
If you need to smoke, try delaying it. Tell yourself that you have to take a walk before you can smoke, or even just finish a large glass of water before you smoke. Sometimes, taking this time to let your mind think of other things will be enough to ward off thoughts of your taking a puff. Should you still give in to the craving, forcing yourself to wait the extra time may wind up taking one cigarette off your daily total.
If your cold turkey effort to quit smoking failed, then get some extra help via products like nicotine patches or gum. These over-the-counter medications supply your body with nicotine while you work to break the habit, which can help you stave off the worst of the physical withdrawal symptoms.
As with other addictions, approach each day without a cigarette as a small victory. There is no need to dwell on stopping forever; simply resolve to stop smoking for the day you are in right now. You’ll feel like you’ve achieved more by celebrating every single day you don’t smoke. After you feel like you have been successful with your short term commitment, you can try to set goals for long term compliance.
Use one of the many nicotine replacement solutions on the market today. Nicotine withdrawal is very trying and can exacerbate feelings of stress, depression and anxiety. A lot of the cravings are quite overwhelming. Using a nicotine replacement therapy will help you to battle against the temptation. You will have twice the chance of giving up smoking if you use reliable nicotine patches, lozenges or gum. Don’t use these products if you’re currently smoking.
Get the support of your loved ones, so you can quit smoking more easily. It is important that you let them know you need their support and that you do not need them to be judgmental. Remind them that you may have times of frustration and irritability and ask them to bear with you. It is not simple to stop smoking, you should always develop a support system.
One helpful way to start quitting is to switch to a different brand of cigarettes. Consider switching to a brand of cigarettes that you don’t care for. Try to smoke them differently and be sure not to smoke too many of them. This is the first step to quitting.
If quitting smoking cold turkey is not an option, supplement your attempts with nicotine replacement products such as nicotine gum or patches. These products can be bought over the counter and give your body nicotine while you are breaking the habit. They are very helpful in reducing the withdrawal symptoms.
You want to tell your family and friends of your plans to stop smoking. They are your support system, and are there to remind you to stay resolute in your attempts to quit smoking. The more support you have, the more motivation you’ll have to quit. Getting help from other people makes you more likely to succeed.
Changing the brand of your cigarettes may help you to quit. Switching to a poor brand can negatively alter your perception of smoking. Some people find this helpful. This is a great tool to begin your journey of quitting.
Start by cutting back on your smoking. That will help you slowly begin your journey to quit smoking. Try waiting at least one hour after waking before having your first cigarette for the day. Another method to use is to smoke only half of your cigarette to help you cut back gradually.
If you are an indoor smoker, be sure to clean your home thoroughly, when you give up smoking. Wash the drapes and furniture, scrub down the walls and any other things in your home that smell of cigarettes. This way, your fresh smelling house won’t remind you of smoking.
Ask for support online through groups or forums. A quick search will turn up an overwhelming number of websites for people who want to quit smoking. It’s helpful to talk to other ex-smokers so that you can both compare the techniques you use to help yourselves quit. The peers you meet there will have a deep understanding of what you’re going through, giving them the ability to help you succeed.
Set up a reward scheme for yourself in advance, and each time you hit a goal, treat yourself. Take some time to make a list of the rewards that you really want to enjoy. Make a promise to yourself that you will be granted one of these rewards after a week has passed, and then again after a month has passed. Keep the list on display so that you have to look at it every day. When you are feeling weak, use it to keep you on track.
Workout every day. After you quit smoking, exercising is highly beneficial and helps your lung capacity to improve. This can also help you to reduce potential weight gain. The endorphins can help take a bit of the edge off the withdrawal symptoms, although their effect cannot compare to that of nicotine.
Try to find a support group online, there are many forums available. There are many websites that are devoted to supporting those that are looking to stop smoking. Learn what approaches have worked well for others; it may help to model your own after these methods. Not to mention, there are those whom have already completed this troublesome journey and simply wish to offer a helping hand from experience and proven results.
Eliminate all smoking reminders from your life, and it may help you stop easier. Things you should eliminate includes removing ashtrays and cigarette lighters. Wash all your clothes and clean your house to remove the smell of smoke. This way, you are not constantly reminded of cigarettes.
When you quit smoking, remember that the first week will invariably be the hardest. During the first 48 hours after you quit, your body starts to go into detox as all the nicotine leaves your system. After this point, nicotine cravings will be primarily psychological in nature. It is still difficult, but they will be much less menacing.
Try exercising to replace your smoking habit. Mood boosting endorphins are released with exercise and you will be distracted from your cravings by physical activity. You should also exercise to counteract certain side effects of quitting, such as weight gain.
The best way to stop smoking is to quit today. If you are truly ready, do not set a quit date many weeks from now; quit today or even tomorrow. If you stop now, you will lessen the chance you will die from smoking. Protecting your family from secondhand smoke can be an important reason to quit.
Discuss smoking cessation drugs with your medical practitioner. There has been much progress in the realm of smoking cessation. There are many medical options, in addition to nicotine replacement programs, to help you get over the withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor what they recommend to help you quit for good.
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Create a mantra centered around your most important reasons for wanting to quit. Repeat your mantra to yourself when you feel a strong craving. This is a powerful way for you to take your mental and physical focus off of your nicotine withdrawal and to put it on other important wants and needs.
View quitting as a favor to yourself, rather than a sacrifice. When you view quitting in a positive light, it becomes easier to stay on task and quit sooner. Think of how it will change your life, and that the benefits of smoking are so important compared to the few detriments. This will keep you motivated and give you true reasons to quit now.
Once you’re ready to quit, write down the reasons why. If you end up struggling, you can get your list out and use it to motivate yourself.
With any luck, you now feel more capable of following through with your goals. Keep in mind that despite being difficult, quitting smoking is one of the best things you will ever do for your health, a longer life and to stay around for the loved ones in your life who need and want you around.
If you smoke because you have an oral fixation, do something else with your mouth. You can chew gum, suck on candy or chew on a toothpick. Electronic cigarettes are another popular choice for quick relief.