For many people, stress and pressure from the outside world makes smoking seem like an absolute must; it is difficult to find reasons to quit. However, you don’t need to keep going through this vicious cycle of stress, pressure and smoking. Read on for some tips to help you permanently stop smoking.
Quit smoking as easily as possible. Don’t try quitting outright without a coping plan in place. There is a very high chance you will start smoking again if you do. Since nicotine is so addictive, it is best to wean yourself off. This will increase your likelihood of quitting for good.
Make a list and itemize all the methods you will use to make this lofty goal. Making a customized list of things to try, can help you succeed at quitting. Different people can accomplish the same thing in various ways. Discovering what will work best for your particular circumstances is crucial. This is accomplished when you create your own list.
A support group can help you follow up on your decision to stop smoking. You’ll gain a lot of sympathy, advice and support by building relationships with people that have gone or are going through the same thing. These people can become your friends, and offer you a wealth of advice that might help you to stay on track. You can find groups for support at local churches, recreational centers or community colleges.
Try exercising or joining a gym to keep you from smoking, and to better your health. In addition, exercise will assist you in lowering stress. A lack of an exercise routine in your life means taking your time and beginning with short measured increments of activity. Speak to a physician before you start any kind of exercise regimen.
If you have struggled time and time again with quitting smoking, consider scheduling an appointment with your doctor. Prescription medication may make quitting smoking easier to handle. They are not for everybody, so this discussion should also include your detailed medical history. You can also find out about other resources, such as support groups, that will help make it easier to give up smoking.
Make sure to get adequate sleep while you try to stop smoking. Many people find that keeping late night hours leads to elevated cigarette cravings. You are more likely to be alone late at night and could sneak a cigarette while no one else is with you. Get an optimal amount of sleep each night to help manage your cravings.
Replace sweets with fresh produce to prevent gaining weight as you quit smoking. A sensible diet will help prevent any weight gain you might otherwise experience. Feed your cravings with only the healthiest foods, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Try to encourage friends and family to support your decision to stop smoking. Be clear that you need their unwavering support and encouragement, and that anything less could negatively affect your efforts. Let them know that you might be a bit grouchy at first, and that you might not be quite yourself. 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.
You may want to think about trying nicotine replacements. Nicotine withdrawal is very powerful and can lead to depression, feelings of restlessness, and becoming frustrated or irritable. Cravings can be extremely tough to resist. You can help with the cravings by using nicotine replacement therapy. You will have twice the chance of giving up smoking if you use reliable nicotine patches, lozenges or gum. It is very dangerous to smoke while using these products; therefore, to protect yourself avoid smoking if you are using nicotine replacement therapies.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Prior to starting the smoking cessation process, it is important to be certain that you can stay motivated and committed. By having a positive outlook, you are more likely to succeed. 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.
Nicotine replacement therapy is a great option. Nicotine withdrawal causes several unpleasant mental symptoms, including restlessness, irritability, depression, and frustration. The constant cravings can overwhelm you. Nicotine-replacement therapy can help with these feelings. Studies have shown that people who use nicotine replacement therapy double their chance of success. Make sure not to incorporate these products simultaneously while smoking, as there can be devastating effects.
When you’re quitting smoking, give yourself rewards for each milestone you pass along the way. For instance, if you go a whole week with no smoking, go to a movie. After one tobacco-free month, reserve a spot at a restaurant that you rarely get to enjoy. Build up the rewards until you are completely free of cigarettes.
Avoiding the triggers that cause you to crave a cigarette is key in quitting totally. A couple of examples are like if you smoke after you eat a meal or while you drive your car. You have to identify these triggers and change how you respond to them so you don’t automatically start smoking. You need to find a distraction, to think about something else.
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. This could translate to making appointments for activities, like the gym or spa, during the hours when your nicotine cravings are at their peak. Fill your downtime with enjoyable, lighthearted distractions – the latest novel, date night or a cultural outing.
Don’t do this all by yourself. Get some support from your loved ones. Inform them of the reasons why you’re attempting to quit, and let them assist you. It is also a good idea to make use of a support group. Having a talk with those who are sharing the same experience can help you through the process.
One way to stop smoking is to get better at quitting. The ex-smokers you know probably were not successful on their first try. Stop smoking, and plan on avoiding cigarettes for as long as possible before lighting back up. As soon as you do light up again, set another quit date. Quit for longer and longer periods of time each time. Each time you attempt to quit smoking, you will develop new tactics which will eventually enable you to quit completely.
Thinking in a positive way and being motivated are key parts in quitting smoking. Imagine how much your life will improve after you have successfully stop smoking. Turn your focus to your cleaner breath, cleaner teeth, and a fresher smelling home. Although knowing the negative aspects of smoking can scare some people into quitting, thinking about positive changes can be beneficial as well.
Remind yourself of the bleak consequences smoking has on your health. Statistics prove that one in five deaths in America are related to smoking. Don’t let yourself be one of the ones who dies from smoking. Quit today for better health.
Refrain from smoking at all costs to maximize the chance to quit efficiently. In fact, this is the only possible way to start yourself on the road to a smoke-free lifestyle. Just do it, give up smoking cold turkey and never start up again. It could seem pretty hard. However, it has proven to work the best, over time.
If you’re going to quit smoking, keep in mind that week one will inevitably be the toughest. When you first stop smoking, the nicotine levels in your body drop quickly and lead to withdrawal symptoms. After you eliminate the nicotine from your body, you just have to deal with psychological reasons for wanting to smoke. While still difficult, this will make resisting them considerably less traumatic.
If you smoke in your home, give it a very thorough cleaning when you quit. Wash and paint your walls, shampoo or replace your carpet, and launder your window treatments, too. This will make your home smell clean, and the absence of the smell of the cigarettes will help you avoid being reminded of the habit that has plagued your life anytime you enter your home.
You can quit today. By setting a date far into the future, you are reducing your chances for success. If you quit this moment, you lower your risk of disease. Remember that your quitting will also reduce your family’s exposure to harmful secondhand smoke.
Make your goal to smoke not even one puff. When you are tempted, a single cigarette might not seem to matter, but it can set you way back after all your hard work. Remember that having “just one” can exacerbate your cravings and get you on the wrong path.
Discuss anti-smoking medications with your doctor. There have been a lot of advances made in terms of how to quit smoking. There are also multiple treatment options to help you along the way, including prescription medications, nicotine replacement therapy and homeopathic remedies. Your doctor is your best resource for finding a medication that will help you stop smoking.
Try exercising to replace your smoking habit. Exercise releases endorphins into your system. This helps you feel happy and balances you out. In addition, doing something productive like exercising helps you forget that you’re craving cigarettes. You can also avoid the typical weight gain that comes with the slower metabolism that is associated with quitting by stepping up your exercise.
If you are finally ready to stop smoking, then get the support of your friends and family. Let all your acquaintances know you have decided to quit smoking. The will give encouragement and support which could make quite a difference for you. Support groups might also be an option for you, check them out.
Healthy Foods
Try writing down all the reasons and positive outcomes that will happen by you quitting smoking. When you are struggling and seeking a reason to stop smoking, take out this list and read it to motivate yourself.
Eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables to help you quit smoking. Paying attention to your diet and including low calorie, healthy foods will give you a boost in your quitting in a variety of ways. One reason is that it keeps the hands and mouth busy, which can simulate the behavior of normal smoking motions. Eating these foods regularly can also help slow down your weight gain after you stop smoking. The vitamins and nutrients are just want you need when you go through withdrawal.
Eat sensibly. If you’re trying to quit smoking, don’t attempt to diet, too. Instead, you should eat a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables while quitting smoking. Some studies suggest that produce and low-fat dairy may taste bad if you’re a smoker. By eating these items, you will be giving your health a boost as well as turning you off smoking.
You can stop for good! Use what you’ve learned here to give yourself motivation, tackle the temptations and tell cigarettes you’re over them!
If you plan to kick your smoking habit, you should prepare yourself for the challenge by identifying potential obstacles. Most people that fail to quit, do so after just a few months of trying. It can be incredibly tempting to give into the urge for a cigarette if you are stressed or tired. Be vigilant about staying one step ahead of your smoking triggers.