Even though the negative effects of nicotine dependence have been well documented, many people still find it difficult to give up the habit. If you are among these people, then there is some advice in this article that will help you away from this vice. Pick the tips that best suit you and your lifestyle, and put them to immediate use.
Try to distract yourself when you are planning on smoking a cigarette. Make yourself do some other activity first, even just taking a walk around the house or drinking a cup of tea. This will help you to reduce your temptations and shift your focus elsewhere. Even if you do take that cigarette, you may still be reducing your total count for the day by one.
You can find a support group in your area for the support you need to be able to quit smoking. It can help to network with others who understand your physical and emotional symptoms, as they’re experiencing the same thing. People who have been in your position can help guide you through the process. You can find support groups in places like recreational centers, churches, or community colleges.
Create a list of ideas on how quitting smoking can be achieved. Sit down and make a list of things that will work for your personality. Each person has a unique way to taking care of things and accomplishing goals. It is very important that you specifically figure out what ways work the best for you. Drafting a personal list will help you to accomplish this.
In the event that the urge to smoke melts your resolve, at least attempt to put it off as long as possible. Tell yourself you need to take a long walk before you could smoke, or try to drink a glass of water prior to smoking. Sometimes, these delaying tactics provide enough time for the craving to pass before you ever light up. Even if you eventually relent, this method can help you to cut back considerably.
Concentrate on eating veggies and fruits rather than sweets to avoid gaining the weight that typically occurs when anyone stops smoking. These healthy snacks can help you maintain a steady weight. Keep in mind that your body will be going through withdraws, so it is going to be craving foods like crazy.
Hypnosis is an effective tool to use when you quit smoking. 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. When you finally wake up, cigarettes may not have the same allure that they do now, which will allow you a greater chance of succeeding.
Use one of the many nicotine replacement solutions on the market today. Nicotine withdrawal can make you feel depressed, restless, frustrated or irritable. Cravings such as these are distracting and overwhelming. To help alleviate the condition, consider nicotine-replacement therapy. Research has shown those using nicotine patches, gum or lozenges have twice the chance of successfully quitting. Be careful not to use these products while still smoking, though.
Concentrate on eating veggies and fruits rather than sweets to avoid gaining the weight that typically occurs when anyone stops smoking. People can gain weight when they quit smoking, so be mindful of what you put into your mouth, making these veggie snacks a great idea. Keep in mind that quitting will make you hungry, so you may as well feed yourself something healthy.
Make a commitment to quitting smoking before you begin figuring out how to do so. Unless you adopt a positive, optimistic outlook and a willingness to persevere, you will have a difficult time ditching your habit. It’s possible to remain committed by thinking about the reasons you want to quit.
Loved Ones
Cut back on smoking. This can be an effective way to begin the process of eliminating smoking. Wait one hour or more to have your first cigarette in the morning. Try smoking only a half cigarette in order to help you cut back on how much you smoke.
Ask your friends and loved ones to be supportive about your decision to stop smoking. You have to talk to people and let them know what you’re going through, this is the only way you can get help. Let them know that you’ll be moody at the beginning, since your thinking won’t be as clear. Quitting is one of the most difficult things a smoker may have to go through in their life and gaining the support of your loved ones is imperative to your success.
You need to look for ways to have high motivation at all times. This might mean keeping an inspirational quote or image at work or in your wallet to remember why you’re quitting. Whatever method you choose, this type of visual reminder may help you ward off craving and temptation.
If you are not able to quit cold turkey, look into products made specifically for aiding the process. These include gum and patches. You give your body the nicotine it is used to having so that your body doesn’t go into withdrawal by not having a substance it is used to getting regularly.
You can find support and help on online communities and forums. There are a lot of different websites that are meant to assist people in smoking cessation. It’s a great way to compare different outlooks and methods before you become disheartened or begin to doubt yourself. If you have a support system made up of others that are quitting, this will help you deal with any trouble you may have.
In your process to stop smoking, grant yourself rewards along the way to enjoy at the milestones towards your goal. For example, after a week without smoking, treat yourself to a movie. When you make it a whole month without smoking, dine out at a restaurant you really enjoy. Build up the rewards until you are completely free of cigarettes.
Think about the likely consequences of a major decline in your health caused by smoking. How would your loved ones and friends be impacted? Statistics prove that one in five deaths in America are related to smoking. Don’t let yourself become a statistic.
Consider rewarding yourself for important milestones and plan those rewards in advance. 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. Put the list somewhere where you will be able to see it daily. When you are feeling weak, use it to keep you on track.
The first seven days without cigarettes will be the most difficult part of quitting. Keep this in mind if you feel like you can’t get through that first week. In the first two days you’ll be expelling the toxins that smoking put into your body. Once the nicotine is out of your system, you’ll be craving emotionally instead of physically. It’s just as hard to fight, but there are many techniques which will help you to achieve success.
Use the Internet to find support. Participate in online support groups. A quick search will turn up an overwhelming number of websites for people who want to quit smoking. You can ask about techniques that have worked for others, and share your own experience. In addition, those who are quitting with you will be able to relate to the emotional challenges that go along with smoking cessation.
Eliminate reminders of yourself as a smoker, wherever possible. Throw out or give away all your lighters and ashtrays. Clean everything in your home and wash your clothes to get rid off all hints of the smoke smell. This can help reduce your cravings, in an effort to eliminate smoking from your regimen.
When you are tempted to smoke, tell yourself, “No. never. I won’t take even one puff.” It is easy to tell yourself that one cigarette will be fine, but it may undo all of your dedication and hard work, and it really isn’t worth it in the long run. One puff will lead to one cigarette, one pack, one carton; one puff is one puff too many!
Ask your doctor for their advice on any prescriptions which could help you to quit. There are more new products on the market than ever that are designed specifically to help people quit smoking. There are numerous options available to help you as you quit smoking. There is everything from drugs which reduce withdrawal symptoms to nicotine replacement therapies to wean you off slowly. Consult with your doctor to determine the best course of action regarding treatments.
You can quit today. Avoid predetermined dates in the future, and just get the quitting process started immediately. If you commit to kicking your habit, as soon as possible, you can potentially extend your life by many years. This also alleviates the risks of secondhand smoke, to your family and their health. This is major reason to quit, as well.
Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds while quitting smoking. Eating low calorie and healthy food help people quit for many reasons. Keeping your mouth and hands busy can help replace the smoking motions. An additional benefit to eating fruits and vegetables is that the fiber in these food may help curb your appetite, which in turn will help control your weight. As an added bonus, all the extra vitamins and minerals will help you to detox your body.
By taking notice of the advice that has been provided to you here, you are one step closer to getting cigarettes out of your life for good. Your life and your health are certainly worth the effort. Give yourself the gift of stopping smoking. Your reward will be increased health and a feeling of well being after you stop smoking cigarettes.
If you find that your cravings are getting the best of you and are having trouble fighting the urge to smoke, contact someone for support. Whether you call a supportive friend or a relative, reach out to someone and share what you are feeling. Not only does the act of talking on the phone distract you from your craving, you’ll also receive valuable social support that will last much longer than the phone call.