Just how do you quit smoking? The cravings are so often overwhelming, and yet the cost to your health and your pocketbook is even worse. People quit every day, but many go back to smoking in time. If you want the best chances of success, read this article and start using the tips provided.
Make your quitting attempt as easy on yourself as you can. Do not ever try to quit cold turkey. There’s a huge chance you’ll fail if you use this method. Because nicotine is very addictive, you should utilize some type of therapy, medication, or a patch. Using these treatments will help you avoid withdrawal symptoms so that you can more easily stop smoking for good.
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!
Help the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. If you decide not to use a product that contains nicotine, such as a patch, gum or lozenges, think about asking your doctor about a prescription medication. Certain pills can help to reduce cravings by affecting the chemicals that your brain produces, lessening the symptoms. There are also certain medications that will make a cigarette taste nasty if you decide to smoke.
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.
Keep a cold glass or bottle of ice water nearby at all times. When you get a craving for a cigarette, take a sip of water–even if this means you hardly put the bottle down at first. This gives you something to do with your hands and mouth, and it can be a useful way to prevent snacking, too.
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.
Each time you reach a milestone in your journey to quit smoking, reward yourself. For instance, you might decide to see a movie as a treat to mark one week without a cigarette. If you can quit for a month, treat yourself to dinner at the most delicious restaurant in town. This will help to increase motivation for your reward in an effort to eliminate smoking from your thoughts.
Find another way to relax. Nicotine is a relaxant, so you need to find a substitute to lessen your stress. A massage or yoga is a really great way of relaxing, or you could try a warm bath, or listening to your favorite music. Whenever possible, try to stay away from anything stressful during the initial couple of weeks when you stop smoking.
Taper down your smoking. This will put you in the right place to quit smoking. Avoid smoking when you first wake up. If it is difficult to reduce the number of times you smoke per day, so try cutting back on the amount of cigarette you smoke per time. Try smoking only half a cigarette instead of a full cigarette.
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 smoking is your reaction to stress, replace it with a positive one. Consider getting a massage when you are stressed or participating in an exercise class. Even doing something simple like taking a bath or enjoying a light snack is a better reaction to stress than smoking is. Doing these things will help you to quit, while still keeping your stress level in check.
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.
Many have quit years ago and have never given in to a craving since, and the tips in this article are all items that have helped former smokers. If you truly want to quit smoking, then today is the day! Use these ideas and you’ll be cigarette-free in no time.
