Quitting smoking may seem impossible, but it can be done. There are a lot of ways to go about doing this, and being prepared and knowing what your options are can be beneficial. You need to remember that it is possible and people quit all the time. In this article you will learn about different ways you can quit smoking.
Try to stop smoking by using the method that is easiest for your needs. Don’t try going cold turkey. There is a very high chance you will start smoking again if you do. Nicotine is so addictive that a method like therapy, the patch or medication is recommended. Using these aids will make your efforts at kicking the habit much easier than it will be without them.
If you are looking for a chemical aid to quit smoking, then be very careful about this approach. Drugs such as Chantix have a relatively weak success rate and can have the potential to cause severe damage to your body. It works by altering your brain chemistry, and can lead to severe depression and suicidal tendencies.
If you feel that you need to smoke a cigarette, first try to delay that action. For example, require yourself to take a long stroll before you give in and have a smoke. If nothing else, pour yourself a big iced tea and promise yourself to finish drinking it first. By the time you get done, you may have the willpower to say no. Even if you do take that cigarette, you may still be reducing your total count for the day by one.
When you smoke, you sometimes are just obsessed with the feeling of having something in your mouth. This can be replaced with a less dangerous habit such as chewing gum or eating candy. Anytime you feel like smoking, just have a piece of hard candy or chew a stick of gum.
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.
If you want to stop smoking, talk to your physician. Your physician will likely have access to resources that you are unaware of to help you quit. Additionally, your doctor may prescribe medications to make quitting easier for you, so long as he or she feels that such treatments are appropriate for your situation.
To avoid nicotine cravings, try to deal with your stress in other ways. Try to coincide a trip to the gym with your worst withdrawal times. New hobbies are also a good way to cope with the symptoms. Massages can also be very helpful. Identify things you can do if you have unexpected downtime. Read an engrossing book or call a friend for example.
Take the time to really sit down and think about how quitting smoking will improve your life. This is especially effective if you already have serious health conditions that smoking can exacerbate, like asthma or diabetes. If your family has a predisposition for cancer, then it can also be very powerful for you to acknowledge that quitting now could actually save your life.
You should commit fully in your effort to quit smoking. If you have failed before, you likely did not fully want to quit smoking. While quitting for the benefits is compelling enough, you should find better motivators to fuel your efforts. You will find yourself more successful in the long run.
To stay true to your plan to quit smoking, make up motivational note cards to read whenever you get a craving. Keep these cards on your fridge, in your car, in your purse or wallet and even in a drawer at work. Any time a craving strikes, read and repeat the message on the card like a mantra to refocus your efforts.
You can replace your smoking habit with positive coping habits instead. This means really looking inside yourself and examining your habits. If you smoke when you are stressed out, consider how you can diffuse the negative energy instead. Some people find solace in meditative and deep breathing exercises, but you can experiment with a variety of techniques to find one that suits you.
If you want to quit smoking, stop buying cigarettes. It kind of goes without saying that if you don’t have cigarettes on you, it will be much more difficult to smoke. Throw away any cigarettes that are currently in your possession and make a pact with yourself not to buy any more.
It is hard to quit, but you will be successful if you try your very best. You should now be better prepared to quit smoking after reading this article. It may be difficult at first, but if you take it step by step, eventually you’ll be smoke free. This is something you have to do if you want to live a happy and healthy life.
