If you truly wish to succeed with your smoking cessation plans, you must be duly motivated. There are so many different benefits to quitting smoking, from your finances to your health! At least one of them should be able to help you stay focused when things get tough. It comes with great health, financial and emotional benefits. Your journey to a smoke-free life starts here.
Make your self a list of the reasons to and the reasons not to stop smoking. You will remember these reasons, and think about them every time you want to smoke. 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.
If you are ready to stop smoking, try hypnosis. If you decide to try hypnosis, make an appointment with a licensed hypnotist. The hypnotist will supply you with positive reinforcement while you are in a deep trance. Consider this option because it’s worked for thousands of people!
Start exercising. Not only will it help you get into shape, it can help you stay busy and avoid cigarettes. Furthermore, exercise relieves stress and anxiety. If you do not exercise normally, you can start by taking short walks outside daily. Ask your doctor in advance of beginning any exercise routine.
Take note of all of the methods that you plan to use to stop smoking. Taking time to customize your personal list, is an excellent help in accomplishing your goal. Each person does things their own way. It is important to find out which strategy is best suited for you. Making a list for yourself of your own methods will help you reach your goal.
Get a good night’s sleep every night if you are trying to stop smoking. Lots of people find that if they stay up late, they are more inclined to crave cigarettes. You are more likely to be alone late at night and could sneak a cigarette while no one else is with you. If you get a full nights sleep, it helps to stay focused and avoid cravings.
Nicotine Replacement
Smoking cessation is one of the few times when it is best to procrastinate; delay tactics are often an effective strategy. When a craving strikes, tell yourself to hold on for just ten more minutes. Find something productive to do during those ten minutes, and chances are, the craving will be less intense when they are over. If you still feel the urge, repeat the process! Tell yourself you’ll wait five to ten minutes before smoking.
Try therapy that involves nicotine replacement. As you are going through nicotine withdrawal, you might feel irritable, restless, frustrated or depressed. A lot of the cravings are quite overwhelming. Using nicotine replacement therapy will help to relieve these symptoms of withdrawal. Research proves that nicotine replacement products such as gum, patches or lozenges can double the success rate for quitting. Do not use the nicotine-replacement products if you are still smoking cigarettes.
Talk with your doctor if you are having difficulties kicking your smoking habit on your own. Prescription medication may make quitting smoking easier to handle. They are not for everybody, so this discussion should also include your detailed medical history. Your doctor may have other resources on hand as well, such as support groups and toll-free hotlines where you can discuss your struggle.
Be sure that you are willing to stick with your plan to stop smoking. It is easy to fail in your attempt to quit if you don’t get properly motivated or give up too quickly. Remember the reasons that caused you to stop in order to stay motivated.
Talk to your doctor about quitting smoking. Your family doctor may offer referrals and resources that you might not otherwise have access to. Your doctor is also the only one that can write you a prescription for a nicotine replacement medication.
Each time you reach a milestone in your journey to quit smoking, reward yourself. For instance, you might decide to see a movie as a treat to mark one week without a cigarette. Once you’ve passed that month long milestone, enjoy a fancy night out at your favorite restaurant. Continue creating rewards to work towards until you forget about smoking and are ready to move past it completely.
A crucial part of giving up cigarettes, is not trying to do it entirely by yourself. Inform your family and friends that you are attempting to quit and ask them to inspire you to drop this habit. Joining a support group can also be a great help. Being with others who are in the same boat may be helpful.
Have a plan for effective stress management to counteract the effects of nicotine withdrawal. Perhaps you could go to the gym during the time that your cravings are at their worst, or you could get a new hobby. Fill your downtime with enjoyable, lighthearted distractions – the latest novel, date night or a cultural outing.
Find healthy stress relief methods to help deal with your nicotine cravings and withdrawal. This can mean going to the gym at moments when you tend to experience cravings, or starting a hobby or even having a regular massage schedule. Identify things you can do if you have unexpected downtime. Read an engrossing book or call a friend for example.
Loved Ones
Stay positive and motivated in order to stop smoking. Try to think of how much better your life will be once you’ve quit. Think about how your breath will smell better, or how much cleaner your teeth will be, or how much cleaner and fresher your home will be. While it is good to know the many negative impacts of smoking, for many people, remembering the positive benefits of quitting can be even more helpful.
If you stop smoking, you’ll be improving not only your own health, but the health of those close to you. People exposed to secondhand smoke are at higher risk for developing a number of different cancers and other 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. Quitting will not only improve your own health, but it can help your loved ones to become healthier, as well.
Your success is contingent on maintaining your motivation. You can put up motivational messages in your office, or wear a piece of jewelry that represents your goals. Either way, you need to have visual reminders in order to help you when you experience temptations and cravings.
Let your loved ones know that you want to stop smoking. They’ll be able to help you get through the tough times and be a reminder of why you’re quitting. A support system can be tremendously valuable. This can help you achieve your gaol.
Plan ahead on how to manage any stressful situations. Many smokers are used to lighting up when something stressful happens. Having an alternate activity planned to deal with stress can help you avoid smoking. It’s wise to have more than just one idea in case your first idea doesn’t seem to be helping enough.
Determination, drive, and motivation are what will take you from smoker to ex-smoker. If you are fully aware of all the motivating factors and underlying drives behind your decision, it will be easier to persevere. By putting some of these tips to good use, you will have a good chance of kicking the habit forever.
Talk to your doctor about medications that can be used to help you quit. New innovations for giving up smoking appear regularly. There are so many potential treatments available, including therapy and medications to help you overcome tobacco addiction. Consult with your doctor to determine the best course of action regarding treatments.