Most people who smoke want to quit, and there are plenty of people who smoke. Cigarettes are detrimental to everyone’s health, and have a particular long-term impact on the lungs of smokers. If you are ready to stop, continue reading to hear some valuable advice that can help.
Quitting can be easy if you know how to go about it correctly. Never choose to quit smoking by going cold turkey. A massive majority of smokers that try to quit cold turkey fail. Try strategies such as medication, therapy or a patch. Any of these methods can make your experience with withdrawal easier, helping to ensure that you can quit for good.
To become more successful with quitting smoking, try writing the cons and pros of quitting. When you write something down, it can work to adjust your frame of mind. Your efforts will be easier this way because you will be focused on your goal.
If you are finding it difficult to stop smoking, speak to a doctor. There are a growing number of medical aids, such as antidepressants, that can help you quit with much less discomfort. Your doctor can probably also steer you toward other resources, like support groups or hotlines, that can help you quit for good.
Quit smoking one step at a time. Breaking the habit is a process; it doesn’t happen overnight. You can’t worry about the future. Approach quitting on a day-by-day basis. Give yourself credit for every day you succeed, and you might be surprised by how quickly those days turn into weeks.
Ask your friends and loved ones to be supportive about your decision to quit smoking. It’s critical, however, that they understand that you want positive support, not reproach. 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. It’s not easy to quit smoking, and you should be sure you have your loved ones’ support during this process.
If you suddenly get the urge to smoke, try to delay your smoking. Tell yourself to wait five or ten minutes when you feel the urge to smoke. It’s possible that when five to ten minutes rolls around, the urge will have passed. If the craving is still there, repeat the process as often as you need to.
Think about using nicotine replacement alternatives when you quit smoking. Nicotine withdrawal can lead you feeling restless, irritable, frustrated or depressed. The cravings can be overwhelming. Nicotine-replacement therapy will help diminish these feelings. There are many studies that show using gum, lozenges, or nicotine patches increases the chance of quitting. Don’t use these products if you’re currently smoking.
Enlist in the help of your family and friends to support your efforts to stop smoking. It’s key that you leverage their support, but tell them not to judge you. Remind them that you may have times of frustration and irritability and ask them to bear with you. Make sure that you have support from close friends and loved ones during your quitting process, this support can come in handy as quitting is not easy.
You should not try to quit smoking alone. Look to your friends and family for some encouragement by letting them know that you are attempting to quit. If they can offer some assistance, allow them to give you that assistance. Another excellent idea is to enlist the help of a support group. Meeting other people who want to quit will help you stay motivated and you will be able to share tips.
If you find it too daunting to stop smoking cold-turkey, consider helping the process along by trying replacements like nicotine patches or gum. Using these nicotine-providing OTC products in conjunction with your own personal willpower will fight off the rough symptoms of withdrawal.
As you meet your short-term goals for smoking cessation, reward yourself! You can go to a movie or buy something that you wanted, after not smoking for a period of time. Another goal could be to go a whole month smoke-free. When you attain that goal, give yourself a nice dinner out at a special restaurant. After that, lengthen the time between rewards until you no longer want to smoke.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
The health of your loved ones depends on you to quit smoking. Secondhand smoke is dangerous, and a known cause of many types of cancer, and other serious health conditions. By reducing the smoke that you generate with your cigarettes, you are reducing the amount of secondhand smoke that you have exposed your loved ones to. This means that not only will quitting make you healthier, it will make your loved ones healthier too.
Nicotine replacement therapy can be an effective weapon in breaking the smoking habit. Nicotine withdrawal is very powerful and can lead to depression, feelings of restlessness, and becoming frustrated or irritable. Nicotine cravings may at time be overwhelming. Using a nicotine replacement therapy will help you to battle against the temptation. Incorporating nicotine gums and patches into a regimen can double the chances for success. Don’t use these products if you’re currently smoking.
Many people have found that switching brands can help on your quitting journey. Choosing a brand you hate the taste or smell of is a great way to make you hate smoking even more. By no account should you smoke more of your new cigarette than you did of the last. You may find this makes cigarettes distasteful and assist you in your efforts to quit.
Celebrate each milestone along your way to quitting, choosing little rewards you enjoy. For example, treat yourself to a movie after a week of being smoke-free. When you go an entire month, go to a fancy restaurant you don’t normally go to. You can build your rewards up, making each month and year without smoking an even sweeter success.
Make sure you tell your friends and family that you are quitting smoking. They will keep you on track and encourage you when you are feeling weak. Studies have shown that employing a familial support system is one of best ways to stop smoking. This can help you achieve your gaol.
To avoid nicotine cravings, try to deal with your stress in other ways. Try finding new interests, such as exercise, an interesting hobby, or even a massage. Try to schedule these activities during times you usually have severe cravings for a cigarette. When you have some free time, have pleasant distractions around you, such as reading an excellent book, talking with your friends, or playing new games.
The best place to start when quitting smoking, is to just stop. Stopping completely is the only way to really quit. By doing this, you are making a pact never to start smoking again. This strategy may not be the easiest method of quitting. Time has shown this method to be very effective, overall.
Hopefully after reading through this article you have a different insight on what it takes to truly quit smoking for good. Remember you must stay strong, and while the choice is for you, quitting smoking helps you stay around longer for your loved ones too.
If you smoke in your home, give it a very thorough cleaning when you quit. Have your carpets and furniture cleaned, scrub your walls and wash any fabric window treatments you may have. The smell will be refreshing and not remind you of cigarettes as you walk around your home. Keep cigarettes out of you mind by eliminating the smells.