All smokers know that their habit is bad for them. No one smokes because of the health benefits it offers; they keep smoking because it is hard to quit. Only people who have been able to stop smoking really understand how much effort is required. Read on for their advice and expertise.
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. You will remember these reasons, and think about them every time you want to smoke. It will help you stay motivated and focused on success, possibly making quitting a little easier.
In the event that the urge to smoke melts your resolve, at least attempt to put it off as long as possible. Take a long walk, do the dishes or put away the laundry before permitting yourself to smoke. Perhaps the extra few minutes spent occupying your mind with something else can prevent you from smoking. If you do end up smoking a cigarette, at least you will have smoked one less cigarette that day.
Find a good support group to help you quit smoking. 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. You can receive support and guidance from former smokers who’ve successfully quit, as well as good tips for dealing with the process. Support groups can be found at recreational centers, community colleges, or churches locally.
Might hypnosis work for you? A licensed hypnotist will provide you with tools which can’t be found elsewhere. The hypnotist can put you into a deep trance and provide you with positive affirmations that stay embedded in your mind. When you snap out of the deep trance, you may find that your love for cigarettes has diminished, making giving them up easier.
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 that you have to take a walk before you can smoke, or even just finish a large glass of water before you smoke. You may find that diverting your attention to something else will delay and ultimately overcome that desire to smoke. If you still feel you need that cigarette, delaying it may mean you will be smoking at least one less on that particular day.
You should worry about going through one day after another. There is no need to dwell on stopping forever; simply resolve to quit smoking for the day you are in right now. A short timeline can help you stay on track instead of worrying about what is coming next. As you get further along, you can start to lengthen your goals.
As part of your attempt to stop smoking, you will want to discuss it with your physician. Your doctor may be able to refer you to a support group or have knowledge of specialists in your area. In addition, your physician may feel that, in your situation, it would be best to prescribe a medication that can help you quit.
If you find it too daunting to quit smoking cold-turkey, consider helping the process along by trying replacements like nicotine patches or gum. These products deliver small doses of nicotine to your body to help wean off the addiction without the pain and stress of withdrawal.
If you quit smoking, you’ll be improving not only your own health, but the health of those close to you. Consider the dangers of secondhand smoke and realize that you are putting your family at risk of falling victim to these dangers every day. This should certainly motivate you to stop. So by choosing to quit smoking you not only lessen the risk of you getting a type of disease, or other kind of illness, but you also reduce the chance that a loved one will too. This means that not only will quitting make you healthier, it will make your loved ones healthier too.
Talk to those who you are close with about the impact of smoking in your life and your decision to quit. They will support you and keep reminding you that you must quit. Having a system of support is one of the best methods you can use to quit. This will make it a lot easier to succeed in your quitting smoking goals.
Refrain from smoking at all costs to maximize the chance to quit efficiently. This is the best method of beginning your quest. By doing this, you are making a pact never to start smoking again. The cold turkey method will seem very difficult. However, people who use this method are less likely to return to smoking, over time, than people who use other methods.
Plan ahead for how you will handle stressful events that might arise. It is common that those who smoke are accustomed to relieving stress by puffing on a cigarette. Planning in advance for these moments will help you avoid giving in to the stress and grabbing a smoke. Make sure the list has more than one option on it, in case you need access to more.
If smoking at home, make sure to thoroughly clean the house, when quitting. Scrub your walls and tiled floors, shampoo your upholstery and carpets and wash or dry clean your window treatments. The difference will be evident not only to you but to all your visitors, and you won’t have to smell cigarettes while you are trying to quit.
Stay away from trigger activities or symptoms in which you would normally smoke. Change your routine if it always involved having a smoke. Having your coffee in the car or avoiding the bar allows you to short circuit your cravings.
Get support through online forums and support communities. You’ll find many different groups which are open to all or focus on a niche. It may be helpful to you to compare your strategies with others. Also, other quitters next to you can help you see everyone’s struggles through this journey.
It is important that you stop smoking immediately. Don’t set a date in the future that hinges on something else, start today and create the plan and backups that you need to be successful. By quitting immediately, you lower your chances of succumbing to a possibly fatal disease. Quitting smoking will also protect your family, as they are likely being exposed to dangerous secondhand smoke.
During the first few weeks of your quitting attempt, stay away from activities that you associate with smoking. If you associate smoking with drinking a cup of coffee in the morning or attending happy hour when the workday is done, you will probably need to adjust your routine. Having coffee in your car, or staying out of smoky bars, can replace your craving.
Instead of viewing quitting as a sacrifice, think of it as a gift to yourself. When you view quitting in a positive light, it becomes easier to stay on task and quit sooner. The benefits are far greater than the temporary difficulties, and it will make a powerful change in your life. Doing so will reinforce your desire to quit and help you meet your goals this time.
It is time to quit smoking. Choose today as the day instead of putting it off to a future date. When you quit smoking, your risks for many diseases drops and continues to decrease with each passing day. Quitting can not only protect your health, but also that of your family. Don’t keep exposing them to potentially deadly secondhand smoke; quit today.
When you are trying to stop smoking, concentrate on eating fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts. There are a couple of reasons to eat these healthy foods while quitting smoking. Replicating the motions of having a cigarette can help to curb your cravings. Also, your chances of gaining weight during this quit period is reduced. You also may experience less withdrawal symptoms if you eat these foods because of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients they contain.
If you feel that your willpower is fading and that you’re tempted to reach for a cigarette, ask someone for support. Whether it’s a family member or friend, talk to someone to ease your cravings. Not only will this distract you, it’s nice to know someone cares and can help you tackle the issue with someone else’s assistance.
Nonsmokers cannot fathom your desire to smoke a cigarette when you know the health costs involved. A nonsmoker will never be able to understand how difficult quitting is. In this article, however, you have found advice from people that have been smokers, people that have finally quite the horrible habit. Use their ideas and experiences to make your dream to quit a reality.
You may want to consider counseling to help stop smoking. There may be an emotional reason which makes you want to smoke. By dealing with the issue, it can help any urges to smoke disappear. If you are interested in this method, visit with your physician, and ask for a recommendation to someone that you can talk to.