Numerous scientific studies have proven the addictive nature of cigarettes. 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 feel the desire to smoke, try to postpone your cigarette as long as possible. Take a brief walk before you give yourself permission to smoke, or finish a glass of water. By delaying your actions, you find that you really didn’t want that cigarette after all. If you still choose to smoke, you won’t be smoking as much because your time will be spent doing something different.
To boost your chances of quitting smoking, make a list of pluses and minuses about stopping. Writing out the benefits can help to elucidate the advantages of the action you are taking. By making this list, you can spark your interest and motivation in quitting, and help you focus on quitting so that you can more easily stop smoking.
Make a gym membership part of your quitting plan. Your health will improve and, more importantly, you will give yourself something instead of smoking to occupy your time. Use exercise as a great way to alleviate the stress. If you are new to exercise, start slowly by taking walks every other day. Ask your doctor, before you start engaging in any exercise activities.
Try to make it as easy as possible on yourself to quit smoking. Quitting cold turkey is definitely not recommended. This method of quitting has a 95 percent failure rate. Nicotine is very, very addictive, try using some medication, therapy, or the nicotine patch. Using these aids will make your efforts at kicking the habit much easier than it will be without them.
When the temptation to smoke overwhelms you, using stalling tactics to make yourself wait. By reminding yourself that you will revisit your feelings in ten minutes, and keeping yourself occupied while those minutes pass, you may find that your craving has vanished within that period of time. If it doesn’t, keep trying this method.
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. Do not concern yourself with next month or next year. Focus on getting through this day. From time-to-time, also remind yourself that if you can get through today, getting through tomorrow will be that much easier.
Your doctor can help you to quit when all other strategies fail. There are a number of prescription medicines that will make quitting easier, including, a few anti-depressant medications. They may also offer other avenues of support or treatment.
When you decide to stop smoking, be sure to tell your family and friends. If you let those around you know of your intent to quit, they will be able to motivate you, and keep you away from any temptation. With this support, you can optimize your chance to quit successfully.
When a craving comes on to eat after you quit smoking, reach for vegetables and fruit. This will help control your weight at this crucial time. You body will be craving food when you stop smoking and a healthy diet will keep you focusing on a healthy lifestyle.
Make a gym membership part of your quitting plan. Your health will improve and, more importantly, you will give yourself something instead of smoking to occupy your time. Exercise will help you in stress relief as well. If you haven’t been exercising regularly, then start slow by taking a walk outside once every day or two. Check with your doctor before you actually begin any extensive exercise routines.
If you find it too daunting to quit smoking cold-turkey, consider helping the process along by trying replacements like nicotine patches or gum. These over-the-counter products will supply nicotine to your body during your quitting efforts. They can ward off the maddening physical withdrawal symptoms.
10 Minutes
Before setting a quit date or otherwise planning your quitting process, you must be committed to succeeding. A lot of people are unable to quit smoking successfully because they are not sufficiently committed, or do not approach it with the proper mindset. You may stay committed through thinking of the reasons why you want to quit.
When you have a smoking urge, try the delay tactic. Tell yourself you will wait about 10 minutes and then assess how you feel. During that time, distract yourself and chances are, after the 10 minutes are up, the craving will be gone. If the craving is still there, repeat the process as often as you need to.
To avoid nicotine cravings, try to deal with your stress in other ways. You could exercise once a day, find new hobbies or perhaps get massages. When you’ve got downtime, distract yourself with friends, books and games, so you don’t think of smoking.
If you cannot quit smoking by yourself, visit your physician. There are prescription medications, including certain antidepressants, that can make the process of quitting more tolerable. You can also find out about other resources, such as support groups, that will help make it easier to give up smoking.
As you begin your journey to a smoke free lifestyle, plan a series of rewards as you reach certain milestones. Note some goodies that you will let yourself have when you have quit smoking for a month, a week or just a day. Put the list in your phone or on your fridge so that you are reminded of the rewards every day. That might be just the thing that keeps you motivated when you feel temptation.
It is hard to quit smoking because the nicotine in cigarettes is very addictive. Quitting is both physically and mentally demanding. Use the information in this article and make it easier on yourself. Given the right information and the necessary determination, it is possible to stop smoking!
Realize that you will experience times of stress, so make a specific plan for countering this. Many smokers are used to lighting up when something stressful happens. You’re more likely to not smoke, if you are scheduled to do an alternative activity. Having multiple plans in place is ideal, in case one plan does not work out.