Even those with very strong wills can have a difficult time quitting smoking. Smoking does provide some satisfaction, even for those who desire to quit. If you want to emotionally detach yourself from your smoking habit and kick it for good, the following tips will help you get the ball rolling.
Quit smoking as easily as possible. Never try to go cold turkey. Many people who attempt to quit will fail on their first try. Because nicotine is so addicting, a patch, medication, or therapy may be helpful. Using these treatments will help you avoid withdrawal symptoms so that you can more easily stop smoking for good.
Find the method of quitting that will be easiest for you. Under no circumstances should you attempt to quit cold turkey. If you try quitting cold turkey, you may end up relapsing. Nicotine is an extremely addictive substance, so nicotine replacement therapy methods may help you wean yourself. These things will help you with any withdrawal symptoms you may experience, and make quitting successfully much more likely.
When you are close to giving in to your cravings for a cigarette, think of a delay before you are allowed to indulge. Force yourself to complete some other chore, before you can have a cigarette. Perhaps the extra few minutes spent occupying your mind with something else can prevent you from smoking. If, even after the delay, you still have a cigarette, you will at least have taken up some time, meaning you will smoke less that day.
Support groups can be a great resource once you have firmly decided that you are ready to quit. It can help to network with others who understand your physical and emotional symptoms, as they’re experiencing the same thing. You can receive support and guidance from former smokers who’ve successfully quit, as well as good tips for dealing with the process. Check your newspaper and local hospital for support resources.
Treat smoking cessation like kicking any other addiction: as a series of days of sobriety. Remember that quitting will always be a process, and it doesn’t usually happen over night. Do not even think about the future. Just keep your mind and body in the present and take it by the day while trying to get rid of your nicotine habits in the here and now. This will change the outcome of the future.
If you can’t do away with a craving altogether, try to at least hold out against it for as long as possible. Tell yourself you need to go for a walk first, or maybe that you need to drink a glass of water first. Sometimes, delaying smoking actually is enough to prevent you from taking that puff. If you desire to smoke a cigarette, the delay could cause you to smoke one less cigarette that day.
In order for you to quit smoking successfully, you need to devise a list of your reasons for doing so. This may be your best tool for success, if used to your advantage. Different people can accomplish the same thing in various ways. It’s useful for you to understand exactly what works the best for you. Creating your own personal list helps you do this.
Consider visiting a hypnotist for help in kicking the habit. Many people have found it easier to quit smoking after visiting a hypnotist. The hypnotist will supply you with positive reinforcement while you are in a deep trance. When you come out of the trance, cigarettes could be less appealing, which means you are that much closer to quitting for good.
You can join a gym or begin a regular exercise routine, to keep yourself busy. This will occupy the time you would have spent smoking. Exercise can go a long way to reducing the stress brought on by nicotine withdrawals. You can ease into a healthier lifestyle by starting to take a daily walk and working your way up to strenuous activity. Don’t exercise without consulting your physician about what are safe and appropriate exercises for you.
Create a list of ideas on how quitting smoking can be achieved. Sit down and make a list of things that will work for your personality. This can help to create a personalized formula to stop smoking. It is important to find what your best options are. This is easy to determine by writing your own list.
To avoid experiencing weight gain after you quit smoking, eat a healthy diet filled with fruits and vegetables. You will minimize your weight gain when you do this. Eating a healthy diet will give you the strength and stamina that you need to stay focused on your goal.
Quit smoking on a daily basis. Don’t think about quitting forever; instead focus on today. Making shorter goals will make it easier for you to cope, both mentally and physically. There is nothing wrong with setting long-term goals, but get comfortable with the day-to-day commitment of smoking cessation first.
Enlist in the help of your family and friends to support your efforts to stop smoking. Also, make sure that they know not to be judgmental and are as optimistic as possible to improve your chance for success. Make sure you tell them that you might be a bit cranky, especially during the first few days after your last cigarette. It is not an easy task to stop smoking and you should make sure your loved one supports you during this process.
Discuss your wish to quit smoking with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to provide you with helpful tips and advice to make quitting easier. He can also prescribe you medication to help treat anxiety and stress, deal with cravings or other health issues which appear when you quit.
Make a study of what triggers your smoking, and then find ways to avoid your triggers. If you often smoked in your car, then create a new driving habit like listening to a book on tape or making a motivational driving playlist. This will help you to remove the associations these habits have with smoking. Look for a positive alternative to fill the time and distract your mind.
In order to prevent giving in to your nicotine withdrawal symptoms, discover healthier methods of dealing with this stress. 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.
Another motive for quitting is that it will benefit your family, as well as yourself. Secondhand smoke can be harmful to those in your household. This will be devastating over the course of time, as you can expose toxic chemicals through secondhand smoke. By stopping smoking, you will not only protect yourself, but you will also protect your loved ones.
Allow your family and friends to know that you are giving up smoking. They can then support you in your efforts. Building a support team is an optimal way to succeed at quitting. This will boost your chances of finally being smoke free for life.
If you can think positively and be motivated, then those will work in your favor to help you quit smoking. Just think of the number of ways your life can be improved if you can kick the habit. Quitting smoking can improve your smell, you teeth, and eliminate the odors from your home and car. While the negative impact of smoking should never be ignored, the positive side to quitting is often an excellent bit of motivation.
As you’ve read, it doesn’t have to be impossible to quit smoking for good. You can stop smoking with determination and confidence, so begin your journey by applying the above tips to your everyday routine today. Who knows? You might even surprise yourself!
If your home smells of smoke, thoroughly clean it. Wash and launder everything in your house, including: carpeting, drapery and curtains, walls and any other type of surface coverings. This will make your home smell great and make it so that entering your home doesn’t trigger the need to smoke.