For those who are making the attempts as no longer smoking, it can seem like there is a sea full of information to choose from. Who do you believe? If you take the advice here, you will be able to find the solution you need for your situation and break the cycle.
If you’re doing well on your stop smoking journey, don’t forget to reward yourself. Treat yourself to a nice massage, a pedicure, or a special new outfit when you’ve cut back, and then something else when you’ve stopped entirely. You need to have rewards like this to look forward to, as they can help to keep you motivated.
Keep a cold glass or bottle of ice water nearby at all times. When you get a craving for a cigarette, take a sip of water–even if this means you hardly put the bottle down at first. This gives you something to do with your hands and mouth, and it can be a useful way to prevent snacking, too.
Make a list of reasons that you want to quit smoking, and keep them in your wallet. Your reasons may include your family, living to see a special event, or anything you find meaningful. Whenever you have moments of weakness, pull out your list for several reminders of what you are working toward.
You don’t have to go through this alone. Get some support from your loved ones. Inform them of the reasons why you’re attempting to quit, and let them assist you. Joining a support group will also boost your chances of succeeding. Meeting other people who want to quit will help you stay motivated and you will be able to share tips.
When you decide to go out with your family or your friends, try to go to places where you cannot smoke. This will prevent you from taking puffs. Try going to a restaurant or going out to a movie. This is a wonderful way to curve your urges, and it is fairly easy. Just make it inconvenient to smoke.
Reduce the amount of cigarettes you have each day until you reach zero. Unless there is a health reason for you to stop smoking immediately, quitting tobacco is easier when you do it gradually. Cut back on cigarettes first and quitting will be less of a shock to your body.
During the first few weeks of your quitting attempt, stay away from activities that you associate with smoking. Change your routine if it always involved having a smoke. Drinking coffee on your way to work in the car, or finding a new hangout besides the bar, will give you a chance to minimize familiar triggers and cravings.
Throw or give away all of your cigarettes or other tobacco products. If you don’t have easy access to tobacco, you won’t be tempted to have one last cigarette or to return to smoking when you feel stressed. In addition, if you decide to smoke, you’ll have to put extra effort into getting tobacco and might change your mind by the time you can get it.
Avoid carrying your cigarettes around with you. This makes them harder to get to and you will be able to cut back on smoking by doing this. When they are an inconvenience to get to, you won’t smoke them as often. This will eventually help you quit smoking for good.
Call someone for help and support when your willpower weakens and you are close to having a cigarette. This can be friend, family, or coworker; just tell them of your temptation. Not only is talking a good way to distract yourself from your cravings, you’ll also likely get the encouragement you need to recommit to quitting.
Make a list of situations when you always smoke, such as after a meal, while driving and with your coffee. In some cases, you may learn that you are more prone to smoking in certain types of situations. You will not be as likely to smoke if you are prepared to resist tobacco cravings.
Remember when you begin quitting that the law of addiction is absolutely a part of the equation. This “law” basically emphasizes that giving a drug of choice to an addicted person within the detoxification period will immediately reinstate an addiction. This can be be a worse addiction than it was originally, making smoking within the first 72 hours not worth it!
Smoking is one of those love hate relationships. If you’ve traveled over to more of the hate than the love, you may finally be ready. This article was geared to make you figure out what it is going to take for you to finally stop. If you use the ideas you read here, you should find that one thing that will make all the difference in the world.
