Most people have a hard time in trying to stop smoking. There is no single cure that works out for every person. You will have to research, and try different methods to find what works for you and your addiction. By using the following advice, you will see that it can be simple to quit.
The delay tactic is a great tool to use when the craving for a cigarette seems overwhelming. Postpone the smoke break for ten minutes, then occupy your time wisely. After the ten minutes is up, you may discover that your craving has passed. If you still feel the urge, repeat the process! Tell yourself you’ll wait five to ten minutes before smoking.
If you want to give in to a craving, put it off as long as possible. Take a brief walk before you give yourself permission to smoke, or finish a glass of water. Sometimes, delaying smoking actually is enough to prevent you from taking that puff. Delaying can help to reduce the amount that you smoke, which can make a significant difference during the year.
Some people don’t like the idea of quitting cold turkey, so give nicotine replacement therapy a try. 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.
Hypnosis is worth giving a try for those searching for a way to stop smoking. Visiting a licensed hypnotist is an effective strategy that has worked for many individuals. A hypnotist has the ability to plant strong and permanent suggestions in your subconscious. Consider this option because it’s worked for thousands of people!
Talk to your physician to see if he can help you quit. Your physician will likely have access to resources that you are unaware of to help you quit. If your doctor thinks that it is appropriate, they may prescribe you medication assist with the quit.
Let loved ones and friends know, that you wish to quit smoking. Other people knowing about your goal will both hold you accountable and give you a support system. This support may be the additional push that you require to stay strong as you quit.
To avoid nicotine cravings, try to deal with your stress in other ways. Try going to the gym, taking up a brand new hobby, or getting regular massages when you get cravings. Whenever you find yourself with time on your hands, fill it with the things you love to do, like talking with friends, interesting games or books.
Short Term
Motivation and a positive attitude are key points when you are trying to stop smoking. Try to think of how much better your life will be once you’ve quit. You’ll smell better, will save thousands of dollars, and won’t have to huddle outside in the rain and snow for a smoke anymore! Thinking about negative things can help you quit smoking, but also try to think of positive aspects.
Smoking is a step-by-step process that should be done day by day. Don’t focus on not smoking ever again. Instead, focus on not smoking today. Short term goals can make the process of quitting both mentally and physically easier. Once you are committed to short term quitting, thinking about the long term will be easier.
Make an effort to reduce your smoking. This helps to guide you down the road to stopping your reliance on cigarettes. Try waiting a minimum of one hour after you wake up before having your fist cigarette. As you try to kick the habit, it may be helpful to allow yourself to cut back by only smoking half of each cigarette.
Joining a gym, exercising or finding new and enjoying activities, can keep you away from cigarettes as well as improving your overall health. Exercising can help ease stress. You can ease into a healthier lifestyle by starting to take a daily walk and working your way up to strenuous activity. Speak to a physician before you start any kind of exercise regimen.
You’ll get better at quitting each time you do it. Quite a few people who have quit smoking made multiple attempts before achieving success. Just stop immediately, and be a nonsmoker for as long as possible. If you should slip up, and light up, immediately get back on track and set a new quit date. Quit for longer and longer periods of time each time. In time, you’ll go long enough that you don’t feel the need to smoke again.
Consider using a nicotine replacement-type of therapy. Withdrawal from cigarettes can leave you irritated, depressed, or frustrated. Cravings can be difficult to ignore. Nicotine-replacement therapy can help with these feelings. People who use these products have twice as much likelihood of quitting for good as those who go cold turkey. Just remember never to couple these products with smoking.
Think about the likely consequences of a major decline in your health caused by smoking. How would your loved ones and friends be impacted? One out of every five deaths can be tied to cigarettes! Don’t let yourself be one of the ones who dies from smoking. Quit today for better health.
When attempting to quit smoking, reward yourself for every milestone that you pass. For instance, go to a movie after one week that you don’t smoke. Maybe after a month, you could go to a nice restaurant you have been wanting to go to. Eventually, once smoking is eliminated from your mind, get a big treat.
Work out whenever possible. You might be surprised by how much easier and more pleasurable exercise is now that you’re not smoking. Regular exercise will also ensure that you stave off any potential weight gain. Furthermore, exercise causes your body to produce endorphins, which can give you a natural high. Although the high won’t be as good as a nicotine high, it will help you to cope with cigarette withdrawal.
If you would like to stop smoking, you might consider switching from your favorite brand of cigarette. Switching to a poor brand can negatively alter your perception of smoking. Both limiting the number of cigarettes you smoke and not inhaling while smoking may help you quit. This technique will get you into a mindset to stop smoking.
If you do not succeed in your first quit attempt, do not become disheartened. It is normal for many efforts to fail, no matter how organized. Look back and find out what went wrong to learn from your mistakes when you try again. Next time you face a similar situation, you may be ready to succeed.
Do not procrastinate your quitting date as this should happen immediately. Avoid predetermined dates in the future, and just get the quitting process started immediately. When you stop smoking, your risks for many diseases drops and continues to decrease with each passing day. In addition, you will be protecting those around you from the dangerous effects of smoke that they inhale second hand.
Get rid of anything that reminds you of your smoking days. Dump all of your lighters and ashtrays. Wash your house and clothes thoroughly so that they no longer smell like smoke. When you can no longer smell smoke or see smoking equipment in your home, your home won’t remind you of cigarettes and end up triggering your nicotine and tobacco cravings.
Perhaps you’ve smoked in order to deal with your stresses. If this is true, you must find a suitable replacement, so that you can still relax when you feel stressed. Consider yoga or meditation because this will decrease your stress better than smoking does.
Use your reasons for quitting to create an empowering mantra. Repeat them to yourself, whenever you feel the urge to smoke. This is a great way to focus your attention away from withdrawal and towards positivity.
For best results, replace your cigarette habit with a new fitness class or physical activity. An exercise session triggers release of mood-elevating endorphins and also provides a needed distraction from thinking about smoking. Furthermore, the activity will make you less likely to gain weight as you stop smoking.
Some people are addicted to the feeling of having a cigarette in their mouths. If you’re one of those people, put something else in your mouth whenever you feel the urge to smoke. Some people like to suck or chew on gum and hard candy and keep it handy when the urge to smoke creeps up on them. For other people, electronic cigarettes fit the bill.
Ask your doctor for their advice on any prescriptions which could help you to quit. Lots of medical advances have been made in quitting smoking. There are numerous options available to help you as you stop smoking. There is everything from drugs which reduce withdrawal symptoms to nicotine replacement therapies to wean you off slowly. Talk to your physician about what they think you should use.
Keep track on your habits when it comes to smoking. It will be easier to quit smoking when you are aware of the situations that lead you to want a cigarette. It will be easier to resist your cravings when you prepare yourself ahead of time to do so.
When you are feeling a moment of weakness, call someone in your support network. Explain your feelings to someone who has been through it and they can help you get through the rough patches. Not only will the time spent on the phone be a good distraction until the craving has passed, it’s always nice to know that you are not alone in dealing with this issue.
When attempting to stop smoking, you must think about the difficulties you have as soon as you quit. A lot of people who quit smoking, may begin smoking again soon after. When you are stressed out or tired, it can sometimes be mighty tempting to smoke a cigarette. Know what will trigger your need to smoke.
When people say that it is difficult to stop smoking, they are not lying. What works for one person many not work for another. However, that does not mean that quitting is impossible. Success is at your fingertips when you use the ideas found in this article and stay motivated with the support of loved ones. You might be surprised by how quickly you progress toward quitting altogether.
Ask yourself why it is important that you quit smoking. Write down your three top reasons for quitting. Carry this list in your pocket or purse every time you go out. When you are craving a cigarette, take out your paper and look over why you want to quit.