It does not matter how many times you have tried to quit smoking in the past, this time will be THE time that you are successful. You need to be mentally prepared, recognize triggers, and have a plan in place that will have you smelling fresh for the days ahead. Read on if you want to know the best ways to beat this habit.
If you want to quit smoking, the word for you is “No”. Every time you’re tempted you have to disallow yourself the ability to say “Yes” to a cigarette. If your only answer is “No” you’ll find that you can’t cave in to a craving. No cigarettes, no “Maybe”, leads to no smoking!
Try to drink a lot of fruit juice as you begin quitting. The fruit juice will help cleanse your body of all the nicotine that is stored in your system. This will help you better resist cravings that you are bound to get if you do not do this sort of cleanse.
The delay tactic is an effective way to deal with overwhelming cravings. By telling yourself you will check back in ten minutes to see if you still want a cigarette, you will usually avoid the craving. If this does not happen right away, keep repeating this technique.
Consulting your doctor or a specialist can help you get the help that you need to be successful. Prescription medication may make quitting smoking easier to handle. They are not for everybody, so this discussion should also include your detailed medical history. Your doctor may have other resources on hand as well, such as support groups and toll-free hotlines where you can discuss your struggle.
To quit smoking for good, you’ll get better results by gradually weaning yourself than you would if you tried to quit cold turkey. Nearly all people that try to quit cold turkey fail as a result of nicotine withdrawal. Cut back slowly and steadily, and if the cravings are still too powerful then subsidize your efforts with medication or other tools.
If you want to quit smoking, you need to identify factors that will motivate you to stop. Preventing lung cancer, tooth decay, gum disease and emphysema, or protecting your family are strong motivators. Showing respect for your body and for the gift of life is also a powerful motivating force. Whatever reason you choose, it needs to be enough to prevent you from lighting up again in the future.
Quit smoking to improve your smile. People who smoke often fall victim to yellow teeth, persistent bad breath, and even gum disease. In addition, smoking puts you at risk for mouth cancer. When you quit, your smile will have a chance to become whiter, and you’ll feel more like smiling because your body will be healthier.
Talk to your doctor about prescription medicines. If you want to ease nicotine withdrawal symptoms, consider prescription medications. There are certain medications that affect the chemical balance in your brain and can help reduce cravings. There are also drugs that can reduce bothersome withdrawal symptoms, like inability to concentrate or depression.
In order to quit smoking, find something else you can hold in your hand and put in your mouth. Many smokers find it hard to quit because they have an urge to have a cigarette in their hands and mouth. Rather than a cigarette, you can hold onto a straw.
Join a support group to help you in your quest to quit smoking. A support group can commiserate with you about the difficulties that quitting smoking entails, and share their coping mechanisms. The leader of the group may also be able to teach you behavior modification techniques, or other strategies that can prove helpful.
Don’t forget to offer yourself rewards when you reach those important quitting milestones. Make a list of the rewards you will offer yourself once you’ve stopped smoking for one day, a week, a month and so on. Post the list where you’ll see it on a regular basis. Looking forward to your rewards can help you stay motivated during the moments you feel like caving.
If you have a friend or loved one who is having a hard time trying to quit, then you should try sharing with them some of the painful truths about smoking. Try to be sincere and understanding as you relate this information so that they understand that you are trying to help them and that you are not trying to attack them.
There is no easy way to quit smoking. But if you are truly dedicated to getting rid of this habit once and for all, then put the tips that have been provided to you to good use. A day at a time, sometimes even an hour at a time, is the mentality that will get you through.
