Every smoker has tried to quit at one time or another and have found that it can be very difficult. You can increase your chances of being successful by having support and having tricks in place to help you when you need it.
Use the tips below to create a solid plan for your battle against smoking.
Acupuncture can help you to quit smoking. Acupuncture involves putting some very tiny needles into specific points on your body. It can remove toxins and help to treat unpleasant mental and physical withdraw symptoms. Be sure to see a reputable and trained professional for this type of treatment, because it can be dangerous if not done correctly.
In order to make quitting smoking more tolerable, just take one step at a time. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to focus on quitting forever; just quit for today. You will often find it easier from a psychological standpoint to accomplish things on a shorter timeline. After you have adjusted to the idea of not smoking and feel more confident, you can then look at a longer commitment.
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.
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.
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.
One of the hardest things to deal with when quitting smoking is the oral fixation. Once you give up cigarettes, consider carrying sugar-free candies, cough drops or coffee stirrers around to keep your mouth busy and keep you mind off of cigarettes. There are also devices made to help you quit smoking that will also help keep you mouth busy.
Be cognizant of routine activities that trigger the desire to have a smoke. For some, it is the first cup of coffee in the morning. For others it may be the end of a meal, or socializing with smoking friends. Whatever your trigger may be, this is the time you must remind yourself that you are quitting because you care enough about yourself that you want to.
In order to avoid experiencing cravings related to nicotine, look for healthier methods on how to deal with stress. That could mean hitting the gym at the time of day when your cravings are worst, picking up a new hobby or getting a regular massage appointment. You should do your best to fill any free time with pleasurable and fulfilling activities. You can take this time to catch up on with old friends or reading, too.
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.
Make your family and friends aware of your intention to give up smoking. They are there for you and they will help remind you that you need to quit. You are most likely to be successful at quitting if you put this kind of support in place. This will boost your chances of finally being smoke free for life.
When trying to quit smoking, set a goal. Tell yourself that you want to quit by a certain date and that if you are successful, you will reward yourself with something you have been wanting. You can use the money you saved by not smoking to buy this treat! This will give you the motivation you need.
It is true that most smokers have tried to quit and have failed at least once. There are many reasons for their failure but you can greatly increase your odds for success by learning from others and using tips like the ones in the above article to stay on track and finally achieve success and be a non-smoker at last.
