Quitting smoking is usually about more than getting rid of your cigarettes and resisting the cravings. You do not have to make it quite this hard on yourself. There are various aids and techniques so that you can stop smoking for good.
Be easy when you quit smoking. Quitting cold turkey is definitely not recommended. There is a very high chance you will start smoking again if you do. Nicotine is an extremely addicting substance, so medication, patches or therapy may be necessary. These therapies can alleviate some of the withdrawal symptoms, which makes it easier to break the habit.
Make a list of the benefits of quitting and the drawbacks to deciding to quit. This helps increase the odds of successfully and permanently kicking your smoking habit. Writing things down can change your whole mindset. It can also motivate to forge ahead, and may make quitting less difficult by allowing you to keep your eyes on the prize.
If you feel like you absolutely must smoke, try the delay method first. 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. If you desire to smoke a cigarette, the delay could cause you to smoke one less cigarette that day.
Speak to your loved ones about your decision to quit smoking. Entrusting familiar people with this information can let them motivate you, along with helping you beat temptations. This can be the little nudge you need to keep you on the straight and narrow.
Make a list of methods you can use to help you quit smoking. Taking time to think and customize your list based on your personality is a good method of quitting. This can help to create a personalized formula to quit smoking. It is important for you to find something that will work for you. Making a list can help you accomplish this.
Make a list of what methods you can use to quit. Take time to customize your list as a way to quit smoking more effectively. This can help to create a personalized formula to stop smoking. You have to figure out what works best for yourself and your lifestyle. Create your own personalized plan for quitting.
Start exercising. Not only will it help you get into shape, it can help you stay busy and avoid cigarettes. Movement of any kind is also an effective tool for stress relief. Do not let your lack of exercise impede you. Start small and move forward from there. Before beginning an exercise plan, discuss this with your doctor.
You should worry about going through one day after another. Instead of thinking about stopping forever, think about taking it one day at a time. For many people, a short time frame is easier to grasp and focus on. As each day passes, extend your timeline a little more into the future.
Make an appointment with your doctor if you are experiencing trouble with giving up smoking. There are prescription medications, including certain antidepressants, that can make the process of quitting more tolerable. A doctor might also give you information about hotlines, support groups and other resources which can increase the likelihood of success with quitting.
The delay tactic is an effective way to deal with overwhelming cravings. Force yourself to wait at least ten minutes before you give into the urge. Typically, you will become distracted with something else and will wait longer than the ten minutes. If you don’t, keep repeating this as you need to.
When a craving comes on to eat after you quit smoking, reach for vegetables and fruit. You will minimize your weight gain when you do this. When you stop smoking, your body will crave foods. To stay healthy, eat healthy foods instead of junk.
Make sure you are eating well. This can help help prevent any weight gain. Eating a healthy diet will give you the strength and stamina that you need to stay focused on your goal.
Have loved ones support your decision to quit smoking. It is important that you let them know you need their support and that you do not need them to be judgmental. Initially, you may suffer from mood swings and cloudy judgement and the people around you should be aware of it. Try to maximize your level of support throughout the process of quitting smoking.
When you are quitting smoking, you need to avoid the triggers that you always associated with smoking. As an example, if you used to automatically light a cigarette before you made a phone call, you will need to substitute something else in its place. Look for constructive activities and distractions, to occupy your mind during those periods.
When you quit smoking, avoid any triggers that are linked to your habit. For instance, if you tend to smoke while driving or while drinking, it is important to adjust the way you do such things, so that do not automatically prompt you to smoke. Look for a positive alternative to fill the time and distract your mind.
When you quit smoking, you’ll need a healthy way to cope with the stress associated with the nicotine withdrawal. You could exercise once a day, find new hobbies or perhaps get massages. When you do have some free time, occupy yourself with lighthearted distractions such as reading, chatting with a friend, or playing a game that is new to you.
Get a calendar and mark off the milestones you’re looking to reach and which rewards you’ll receive when you get there. Keep a list of possible rewards you will give yourself when you make it a day without smoking, or a week, or a month, and so on. Post the list where you’ll see it on a regular basis. This will give you the motivation you need when you feel like giving in to temptation.
Giving up tobacco will benefit your loved ones, and yourself. People exposed to secondhand smoke are at higher risk for developing a number of different cancers and other conditions. Quitting will mean that you’re sparing your whole family from a lifetime of maladies. Quitting smoking will not only reduce the risk to your own health, but also the risk to those around you.
Stay away from trigger activities or symptoms in which you would normally smoke. If you drank your morning coffee and had a cigarette, switch your routine. You could have your coffee while you are driving into work or avoid the bar altogether so that you avoid the smoking triggers you are used to.
The first step to stop smoking is just to simply stop. Stopping is the only way to start the quitting process. Just quit — and don’t begin again. The cold turkey method will seem very difficult. Time has shown this method to be very effective, overall.
If you fail your first time quitting, try not to become discouraged. A lot of people fail even if they are properly motivated. Examine where you felt your weakness was, and figure out how you can learn from your experience when you try again. You may triumph in your next attempt to quit smoking.
Be prepared with strategies to help deal with situations that cause anxiety. When faced with stress, many smokers light up as if on autopilot. If you possess a backup plan of options available, you will be less likely to light up. Having multiple plans in place is ideal, in case one plan does not work out.
When you commit to stop smoking, get your loved ones to help. In fact, make sure everyone is aware of the fact that you are quitting. You may be surprised at the amount of encouragement and support you receive, and at how beneficial it may prove to be. Support groups and behavioral therapy can also offer help you in your effort to quit.
If you hope to stop smoking, try to avoid any situations that would trigger the need for a cigarette. Changing your routine will help to curb your cravings if you associate smoking with things like a cigarette at the bus stop or with your friends in a bar. Drink coffee while driving to work and avoid the bar to reduce cravings, as there will be many smokers in this area.
When you decide that it’s time to quit, write a list of factors that motivate you to want to stop smoking. If you are tempted to start again, get the list out and read it to motivate yourself to stay strong.
Do not allow yourself to give up if you did not succeed the first time you quit. Plenty of people that did eventually quit smoking failed the first time they tried. Know where you made a mistake, and learn from your mistakes before you attempt to quit yet again. Next time you face a similar situation, you may be ready to succeed.
If you are experiencing an episode of craving, try a deep breathing exercise. This distracts you from the discomfort, and allows you a moment of serenity in an otherwise stressful situation. Deep breaths also deliver more oxygen to your body and brain, helping you to feel refreshed. These breathing exercises are not difficult, and are available wherever you happen to be.
Now that you have taken the time to read this advice, you should now be in a better position to formulate a plan for quitting smoking. It is unrealistic to assume that you’ll never want to smoke again; however, the tips you have learned here can help you have an easier time quitting.
You will want to tell your friends, family and coworkers you are planning to quit smoking. If many people know you have stopped smoking they will help hold you accountable. Ideally, you’ll avoid letting these people down or failing to meet their expectations. This can inspire you to want to avoid smoking even when times are tough.