If you smoke, it’s likely that you don’t really want to. You don’t have to be told how much it costs, how badly it smells and what it’s doing to your health. You know all that already. What you don’t know is how to get through the wall you have likely run into in trying to give it up. Read on for ideas on breaking through.

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!

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 keep yourself motivated to quit smoking, be clear about why you want to quit. While there are many good reasons to quit smoking, you want to focus on your most powerful, personal reasons. Every time you feel tempted, remind yourself how much you want to improve your health, save money or set a good example for your kids.

Have people that you know you can trust to help you quit smoking. It’s important they understand you need their non-judgmental support. Let them know that you might be a bit grouchy at first, and that you might not be quite yourself. It is difficult to stop smoking, so you need the support of loved ones.

Perhaps nicotine replacement therapy would be helpful. Nicotine withdrawal is very powerful and can lead to depression, feelings of restlessness, and becoming frustrated or irritable. Cravings such as these are distracting and overwhelming. Therapies like nicotine replacement therapy can be helpful. Studies have proven that those who use nicotine patches, gum or lozenges have double the chances of successfully quitting. It’s important to avoid using these if you are still smoking.

Make sure you treat yourself as if you are a smoking addict. Never let yourself take a single puff. This one puff may seem harmless, but it can actually reignite your inner need for cigarettes. No matter how long you have remained smoke free, you should keep yourself from ever taking “just” a casual puff.

Do not quit alone. Tell everyone you around on regularly that you are trying to quit smoking. They can provide support and encouragement and it can make a huge difference. You might also consider a support group or a counselor. Behavior therapy can help you come up with and stick to strategies that will help you quit smoking.

When you are fighting the urge to smoke, go and do some exercise. Not only will your body benefit while you are keeping fit, the physical activity can help to keep the urges at bay. Anything that can be used as a distraction while you are working through the crave is a great tool to use.

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.

To stay motivated to quit cigarettes for good, use the money you save to reward yourself. Figure out how much money you will save by quitting in advance, and put the money you would spend on cigarettes into a special place. Every time you reach a minor goal, use that money to reward yourself with something nice.

Quit smoking with a buddy. Having someone else with whom to commiserate and celebrate will make your success even sweeter. Choose a friend, relative, or co-worker who also wants to quit, or pair up with someone on an online support forum. Having someone by your side will make the process much easier to tolerate and will help you stay accountable.

Think about the places where you used to regularly have a cigarette, and then avoid them. Change your routines that are associated with smoking. If you don’t go to happy hour, you may be able to avoid the cravings.

Whether you want to call it quitting smoking or gaining freedom from tobacco, the road from smoker to ex-smoker seems impassible to many. However, in this article you read ideas, advice and insights from those that are now on the other side of that wall. Put these points into play and you can bat for the other team yourself.

Secrets To Quit Smoking And Kick Your Habit was originally published on Spring