Smoking can have a serious detrimental effect on your quality of life. The superficial drawbacks are easy to spot, such as stained teeth and clothes that smell of smoke. An even greater concern is that there are health risks associated with it. You can reverse many of the ill effects of tobacco abuse, by quitting smoking for good. If you are not sure on how to quit, learn tips from this guide on how to go about this.
If you want to quit smoking, join a support group. It could be beneficial to talk to ex-smokers who have experienced the same things you are going through, and understand the physical and emotional challenges that you are going through. This support group can give you the benefit of their experience, what works well to make quitting easier. To find a support group near you, check your local community center or community college, or at your church.
Developing an honest list of the pros of smoking and the cons of smoking can help you achieve your goal to stop smoking. Your mind tends to take something more seriously when you write it down. When you think about your list, it can make your motivation stronger, and keep your focus on the benefits of staying smoke free.
When you feel the desire to smoke, try to postpone your cigarette as long as possible. Try telling yourself you can have a smoke after you take a walk, or after you drink a big glass of water. By delaying your actions, you find that you really didn’t want that cigarette after all. Even if you eventually relent, this method can help you to cut back considerably.
Once you’ve decided to stop smoking, find a support group. It can be helpful to you to speak to people who know what you’re going through, who also can identify with the physical and emotional strain you may be experiencing. People with experience quitting, or going through the same thing as you, can offer their own tips and advice. You can find support groups in places like recreational centers, churches, or community colleges.
No matter what, you need to look at your quitting one day at a time. Quitting smoking is a long process. Because of this, it’s counterproductive to think too far ahead. Take one day at a time. Focus on getting through each day without smoking so that you can build a future that is smoke-free.
Start exercising. Not only will it help you get into shape, it can help you stay busy and avoid cigarettes. Exercise can also act as a stress reliever. Go for a long walk every day, or play a sport. Before you begin any type of exercise routine, talk with your doctor.
Tell your loved ones that you want to quit smoking. When you trust those around you with information like this, they can help keep you motivated, as well as keeping temptation at bay. This may give you more of a push to keep trying to quit.
If you have struggled time and time again with quitting smoking, consider scheduling an appointment with your doctor. These days there are many medications that can help to ease your efforts to stop smoking. Your doctor may also be able to provide information about support groups, hotlines, or other resources that can improve your chances of successfully quitting.
You should try the delay tactic when you feel like you absolutely have to have a cigarette. Wait 10 minutes while distracting yourself in the meantime, and you will usually find the craving has passed. If you still feel the urge, try to keep distracting yourself for 10 minute increments to put off smoking for as long as possible.
Nicotine Replacement Products
Stay as optimistic as possible when developing a regimen to quit smoking. Imagine how much your life will improve after you have successfully quit smoking. 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. Even though when people know the bad things about smoking they may get scared enough to quit, going over positive changes can help too.
Nicotine replacement products are a great tool for quitting smoking. Many feel depressed, frustrated or restless when they are withdrawing from nicotine. The cravings can be overwhelming. Nicotine replacement therapy is a great way to help deal with cravings. The chances of someone quitting smoking is doubled if they utilize nicotine patches or gum. However, do not use nicotine replacement products while smoking.
Some smokers find cutting back on smoking is a good start. This is a good way to ease into the idea of quitting altogether. Try a delay of one hour before you smoke your first morning cigarette. Try smoking only a half cigarette in order to help you cut back on how much you smoke.
Allow your family and friends to know that you are giving up smoking. They’ll be able to help you get through the tough times and be a reminder of why you’re quitting. The more support you have, the more motivation you’ll have to quit. The chance of being successful in your quest to give up smoking will be increased significantly.
You should find a way to keep your motivation clearly in sight and in mind at all times. You may find it helpful to write inspirational quotes in your planner, or wear a piece of jewelry that reminds you of your struggle. No matter what you decide, having a visual reminder will help keep temptations and cravings at bay
Quit as many times as you need to. Most former smokers had to try more than once before succeeding at kicking their nicotine habits. Just stop, and see how far you can go without starting back. As soon as you do light up again, set another quit date. As you go, keep learning and making the quit last longer every time. Finally, you’ll have the success you desire when you quit for the final time and never smoke again.
When you’re trying to break your smoking habit, be sure to avoid any situations that can potentially make you smoke. If you drank your morning coffee and had a cigarette, switch your routine. Having coffee in your car, or staying out of smoky bars, can replace your craving.
Consider rewarding yourself for important milestones and plan those rewards in advance. Create a list of the rewards you will give yourself when you’ve made it past certain dates. Keep the list on display so that you have to look at it every day. This will give you the motivation you need when you feel like giving in to temptation.
Quitting smoking is done not only for yourself, but also for your loved ones. The people who care about you want you to have a long, healthy life. Statistics show that one in five Americans die because of cigarettes. Don’t let yourself become a statistic.
Come up with a way to maintain your motivation by keeping it in mind and in sight constantly. You can put up motivational messages in your office, or wear a piece of jewelry that represents your goals. This can curb your temptations, which are the primary culprits for smoking cigarettes.
Eat tons of nuts, fruits and veggies when stopping smoking. Eating healthy, low calorie natural foods really help, while quitting, for several reasons. To begin with, it gives you a way of occupying your mouth and hands so you do not miss the motions involved in smoking so much. Eating these foods regularly can also help slow down your weight gain after you quit smoking. The high nutritional value of these foods will also make quitting easier, as it helps to reduce symptoms of withdrawal.
Stop Smoking
Ask for help if you feel like you can’t overcome the temptation to return to cigarettes. This can be friend, family, or coworker; just tell them of your temptation. Spending time on the phone will distract you while the craving passes, and it is good to know you have support in your battle with nicotine.
Stop smoking as soon as possible. Avoid predetermined dates in the future, and just get the quitting process started immediately. When you stop smoking, your risks for many diseases drops and continues to decrease with each passing day. You will also be protecting your family from the dangers of secondhand smoke. These things should make quitting even more important to you.
Come up with a list with the top reasons you want to quit. Each time you feel a weakness in your resolve, repeat these reasons out loud, repeatedly, until your cravings dissolve. Doing so can help you to forget about the nicotine and get through the craving.
You should try your best to squeeze in workouts. You might be surprised by how much easier and more pleasurable exercise is now that you’re not smoking. Getting some regular exercise can also help you to avoid the age-old complication of weight gain. While the endorphins released will not produce comparable effects to nicotine, it will certainly make it easier to battle withdrawals.
List the motivating factors that make you want to kick the smoking habit. Every time you feel that you are on the verge of giving up and lighting up, re-read the list as a motivational tool for you to continue on your path.
If you do not succeed in your first quit attempt, do not become disheartened. Quitting smoking is hard, and even a well-prepared effort may fail on occasion. Look back and find out what went wrong to learn from your mistakes when you try again. You may triumph in your next attempt to stop smoking.
Find other methods to satisfy your oral fixation habit when trying to quit smoking. Many people who are trying to quit smoking find it helpful to have hard candy or gum handy on them, all the time. Others get quick relief from electric cigarettes.
Although the thought of quitting smoking is often daunting, the benefits to your health are well worth the effort. After reading these tips, you should be more confident about kicking your smoking habit. Choose your favorite bits of advice and craft a quit plan today!
Don’t go overboard with eating! Don’t start a diet when you are already trying to quit smoking. Just focus on making health food choices. Studies show that tobacco residue in your mouth makes veggies, fruits and low-fat dairy items have a bad taste. These healthy foods will help reduce your cigarette cravings.