Smoking is a bad habit, ruining your health, and it’s extremely difficult to quit. We all try various methods along the way, and normally they don’t work. Eventually the temptation to pick up a cigarette can be too much to bear. The advice in this article will provide you with the best ways to quit smoking once and for all.
Remember that smoking cessation is really all about replacing one behavior with another. For most people, it is primarily the physical act of smoking that is the major draw. It signifies “me time” and a break from a hectic schedule or a boring job. Choose ahead of time exactly what behavior you will replace those smoking minutes with, and then do it!
Remember that your attitude is everything. When you are beginning to feel down, you need to try to make yourself proud that you are quitting. Smoking is bad for you and each time you conquer the urge to smoke, you should feel proud as you are taking vital steps toward a healthier you.
You must know why you want to stop smoking. Having shallow reasons, like it is bad for you are not good enough. To really get yourself motivated, you need a personal and powerful reason to quit. Maybe you are scared of lung cancer. Or maybe you would like to keep your family from second hand smoke. It might be because you want to both feel and look younger. Choose a strong reason that outweighs your urge to light up.
If you reach a milestone while quitting, congratulate or reward yourself for your accomplishments. If you can go for a full week without smoking a single cigarette, reward yourself with a new shirt or a movie ticket. After one tobacco-free month, reserve a spot at a restaurant that you rarely get to enjoy. Continue to give yourself a reward in increasing amount to acknowledge your progress until you don’t think about the urge to smoke.
Find ways to keep your body and mind busy when you quit smoking. Take up walking as this will also help you get in better shape. Another great idea to keep your hands busy is to find a hobby. Learn to sew, knit or learn woodworking. You won’t have time to think about cigarettes when you stay busy.
If you’re a smoker who lights up more in social situations, plan ways to not join your friends for a cigarette when you’re out. While dining, stay at the table if your friends go outside for to smoke. If you’re at a party, if people are smoking, find a non-smoker to chat with. Finding ways to not be around smokers will make it easier for you to quit.
Do some exercise to assist your goals of eliminating smoking from your life. Exercise just doesn’t go with smoking. Regular exercise can eliminate your stress, and it assists your body in eliminating the bad effects that smoking causes. If you’re new to exercising, start out slow by just walking once or twice a day. Eventually, you can build up to more rigorous exercise for around thirty minutes a day three or four times per week. As always, talk to your doctor prior to starting an exercise routine.
Let your loved ones know that you want to stop smoking. They have your back and will help you keep your goal in sight. A support system can be tremendously valuable. The chance of being successful in your quest to give up smoking will be increased significantly.
Don’t allow yourself “just one puff”. The mind can sometimes play tricks on you, especially when you’re trying to give up a habit that you have had for years. Don’t allow yourself to give in to the idea that just one cigarette won’t hurt. It will hurt, and it might just keep you from being able to quit at all.
If you quit smoking and slip up, do not beat yourself up or assume that you’ll never succeed. Many former smokers quit and relapse several times before it finally sticks for good. Pay close attention to what may have triggered a relapse, learn from the experience, and give it another shot promptly.
Don’t give up if you slip up. Anytime someone tries to give something up that they have been doing for years, there will likely be a struggle. When that struggle exists, slip ups often happen. If you do slip up, get right back on track and try again. The worst thing you can do is turn a slip up into an excuse to keep smoking, so don’t do it.
Hopefully, the advice in this article will have provided you with all the information you need to stop smoking. While it might seem like an insurmountable task, it is entirely possible, as long as you know what you are doing. Use the tips listed here and look forward to a life free of cigarettes!
