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.

If you can afford to do so, try the new e-cigarettes. The “e” stands for electronic, and they are basically a nicotine-free cigarette that replicates the exact process of actually taking a smoke break. These “cigarettes” actually emit a mist that you inhale, but without the harmful side effects of nicotine.

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.

Don’t Go Cold Turkey
Do not quit cold turkey. It can be tempting to throw out your cigarettes and say, “I quit!” But cold turkey is not the way you want to go. Studies show that over ninety percent of people who try to quit smoking with no medication or therapy end up relapsing. The reason for this is because nicotine is addictive and your brain craves it. Without it, nicotine withdrawal symptoms set in.

It does not matter how long it has been since you gave up smoking, you can never have “just one”. You are a nicotine addict. While just one does not mean you will be smoking a packet a day again by morning, it will mean that you have “just one more” a lot sooner than you would like.

Do not try to quit all alone. Look to your friends and family for some encouragement by letting them know that you are attempting to quit. If they can offer some assistance, allow them to give you that assistance. Joining a support group is another great idea. Meeting other people who want to quit will help you stay motivated and you will be able to share tips.

If you are finding that you aren’t enjoying food and drinks as much as you used to, consider quitting smoking. Smoking can cause damage to the taste buds in your mouth, meaning that you don’t recognize tastes in the same way. If you quit, your taste buds will soon recuperate, meaning you will be able to enjoy your favorite meals once again.

Stay away from alcohol or other things that trigger an urge to smoke. Alcohol and coffee are a known trigger for smoking, so stay away from them if possible. Also, smokers tend to light up after eating, so find something else to do, such as washing the dishes or cleaning your teeth.

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.

Do not give up. Relapsing is very common. Many smokers have to try several times before they are successful in putting down the cigarettes. Look at what circumstances and emotions lead to the relapse. Once you decide you are ready to try again, set a date to quit in the very near future.

Avoid emptying your ashtrays. If you see how many cigarettes you have smoked laying the the ashtray, you will be less likely to smoke any more. This will also leave the unsightly butts and their smell behind. This can be helpful because it will remind of you how bad the smell of smoke is.

Find out specifics on how quitting smoking will improve your health. There are many statistics out there about how dramatically different your odds of contracting diseases are if you don’t smoke. Find out too how soon you can expect to experience other small perks like improved breathing and sense of taste.

When you are trying to quit smoking, do not attempt to do it overnight. Nicotine addiction is powerful, and it is going to take you some time to wean yourself off of it. You are much more likely to relapse if you quit cold turkey, so take it slow and get it right the first time.

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.

How To Quit Smoking For The Last Time was originally published on Spring