Some believe that stopping smoking is as simple as trashing their tobacco products and using sheer willpower to beat back cravings. There’s nothing wrong with using willpower to help you stop smoking. However, quitting doesn’t require superhuman strength–you can have an easier time quitting than you may think. A number of strategies and smoking cessation aids exist that can ease the quit process.
To raise the probability that you will succeed in your wish to quit smoking, try compiling a list on paper of the positive and negative consequences of quitting. You will remember these reasons, and think about them every time you want to smoke. Your efforts will be easier this way because you will be focused on your goal.
If you are ready to quit smoking, try hypnosis. Many individuals have quit successfully after working with a licensed hypnotist. When you visit a hypnotist’s clinic, you will be put into a trance state and positive affirmations about quitting will be embedded into your mind. This hypnosis will tell your brain that smoking is not appealing, helping you avoid the urge to smoke.
When you are close to giving in to your cravings for a cigarette, think of a delay before you are allowed to indulge. Tell yourself you need to go for a walk first, or maybe that you need to drink a glass of water first. You may find that diverting your attention to something else will delay and ultimately overcome that desire to smoke. Even if you ultimately do smoke, delaying may still reduce the total number of cigarettes you have in a day.
When quitting smoking, take each day as it comes. Focus on getting through just one day without smoking. Establishing a shorter timeline can make things seem more attainable. As you get further along, you can start to lengthen your goals.
When you have a smoking urge, try the delay tactic. Tell yourself you are going to wait 10 minutes to see how you will feel, then try distracting yourself because you will generally find 10 minutes is a good time frame for the craving to pass. If it doesn’t work the first time, repeat this step until it does.
Start exercising at home or join the local gym, to keep you occupied and prevent you from smoking. Exercise is a proven stress-reliever, and people who are quitting smoking will need stress relievers! If you are currently not in the best of shape, begin with short walks or an easy routine and build up from there. Before beginning an exercise plan, discuss this with your doctor.
If you want to kick your smoking habit, enlist the support of your friends and loved ones. It is vital you tell them you need and value their support, and you can do without them being judgmental. Let them know that you might be a bit grouchy at first, and that you might not be quite yourself. It is not easy to stop smoking, and you need to have support from your loved ones during this process.
If you have been unable to stop smoking with just willpower, add some nicotine substitutes and see if that works. These products will ease some of the withdrawal symptoms you might go through. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug and the physical cravings can be very difficult to overcome.
You may want to think about trying nicotine replacements. Nicotine withdrawal is very trying and can exacerbate feelings of stress, depression and anxiety. The cravings can be overwhelming. Consider nicotine replacement therapy. Research has shown that people who make use of nicotine gum, lozenges, or patches can have twice the chances of quitting smoking successfully. Do not use the nicotine-replacement products if you are still smoking cigarettes.
Nicotine Replacement
If you would like to quit smoking, speak with your doctor. Your doctor may have resources for quitting that you may not have. Also, if your doctor feels that your situation calls for it, he or she may think it is best for you to take a prescription medication for quitting.
Try therapy that involves nicotine replacement. Withdrawal symptoms include depression, lethargy, and irritability. The cravings you feel for nicotine may be uncontrollable. Using nicotine replacement therapy will help to relieve these symptoms of withdrawal. Studies have proven that those who use nicotine patches, gum or lozenges have double the chances of successfully quitting. However, do not use those products if you are still smoking.
Do not attempt this by yourself. Let your family and friends know that you have decided to quit, so that they can support you through the process. Think about joining a support group in your area. Your peers will know exactly what you’re going through and be able to offer assistance and advice.
When attempting to quit smoking, you must avoid the particular triggers that cause you to smoke. For instance, if you enjoyed smoking in your vehicle or while reading a book, you must change this behavior while performing these tasks, so that you don’t automatically pull out a cigarette out of habit. You need to find a distraction, to think about something else.
Stay as optimistic as possible when developing a regimen to quit smoking. Make the effort to imagine all the ways that your life can be better after you’ve quit smoking. Know that your breath will be fresher, your teeth will appear cleaner and your home will smell better. If the side effects of smoking are not enough to motivate you, think about the many different benefits.
Never attempt to quit smoking by yourself. Do not alienate friends and family, as you can use these people for support. You might also want to consider joining a support group for people that are trying to stop smoking. Speak about your predicament and talk about some of the things that you want to change.
If you smoked, inside your house, give it a complete cleaning once you have quit. Clean your carpets, furniture and drapes. You might even consider putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls. Not only will your house look and smell clean and refreshing, but you won’t be tempted by the lingering odor of cigarettes whenever you come home.
It is possible to stop smoking. It isn’t easy, but there are many ways to curb the cravings. There may be days that you feel tempted to smoke but with the right kinds of techniques and support, you can do it by taking it one day at a time.
Think about some important sub-goals, such as staying off cigarettes for a week, and decide on rewards for reaching those goals before you reach them. Develop a list of different types of rewards depending on the milestone that you hit for extra motivation. Take the time to put the list in a very visible spot and view it daily. It might provide inspiration and motivation during difficult times.