Quitting smoking is important for your health, but it can be a difficult thing to do. If you’re ready to quit smoking, you need some advice about the easiest and safest ways to do it. Read on for some tips about how to free yourself from the desire to smoke.
In order to quit smoking successfully, ask for help from the people you see most. Having the support of family, friends, and co-workers can mean the difference between success and failure. Quitting any habit is difficult, especially one like smoking that is addictive. Make sure the people around you cheer you on and do not intentionally thwart your success.
When you are close to giving in to your cravings for a cigarette, think of a delay before you are allowed to indulge. A simple glass of water first, or putting your smoke off until after you take a walk, can be very effective ways to delay your craving. Sometimes, taking this time to let your mind think of other things will be enough to ward off thoughts of your taking a puff. If you do end up giving in anyway, at least that was a little longer that you were able to be smoke-free.
Though aversion therapies have gotten a bad rap recently, they do sometimes work in helping you to stop smoking. They do not need to be extravagant methods and you don’t need to pay a therapist to employ aversion techniques. Try the simple things, such as permeating your favorite sweater with the smoke from that last cigarette you smoke. Then reach for it after not smoking for a day or two; you will be appalled at the offensive odor that you have been subjecting yourself and others to on a daily basis.
Ask your friends and loved ones to be supportive about your decision to quit 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 you might be cranky or irritable because of withdrawals, but it will pass and it is not your intention to be as such. Make sure that you have support from close friends and loved ones during your quitting process, this support can come in handy as quitting is not easy.
Cravings seem to come most often when an individual is feeling stressed. To keep yourself from falling victim to this, find a healthy alternative for stress relief. You might consider paying the gym a visit, or enrolling in a class that teaches you a new hobby. Even a massage or bubble bath can provide relief during times when stress is high. If you have leisure time, distract yourself with hobbies you enjoy and people you love.
Remember that false starts are common when people try to quit smoking. Even if you’ve tried and failed to quit before, you should always keep trying. Ultimately, any reduction in your smoking habit is good for you, so as long as you are trying to quit you are improving your life and health.
Reward yourself for accomplishing a milestone and plan each reward in advance. Note some goodies that you will let yourself have when you have quit smoking for a month, a week or just a day. Put that list in a visual location so that you will see it every day. That might be just the thing that keeps you motivated when you feel temptation.
The decision to quit smoking entails a massive lifestyle change, so be sure you are ready for the commitment before you plunge into it. You should take time to sit down and create a dedicated plan to quitting smoking. This plan should entail account for your unique situation and triggers as well.
Increasing the amount of exercise you do can help you quit smoking. Exercise not only distracts you from smoking, but it also helps to reverse all the damage you have done to your body over the years by smoking cigarettes. Start slowly if you have to, and gradually increase the amount of exercise you do each day.
Avoid situations where you may be strongly tempted to smoke, especially places where alcohol is served. If you find yourself at a party, or bar, or similar place, it may be very tough to keep your determination not to smoke. If you drink alcohol, which lowers inhibitions, it will be much more difficult as well.
Again, it isn’t easy to stop smoking. However, the health benefits are worth it. Experiment with the tips you just read to find some that work for you so that you can more easily free yourself of the desire to smoke and regain your good health. Quitting smoking can add years to your life, so don’t procrastinate about trying them out.
