The decision to stop smoking can be one of the best choices that you can make for your health and your life. So it makes sense to put everything into it when you decide to quit to ensure success. Think of the things that motivate you, find a support system, and use tips like the ones in this article to create a plan that is sure to succeed.

If you’re trying to quit smoking, try chewing gum instead. Often times when you try to leave a bad habit behind, you must replace it with a more positive one. Chewing gum allows you to use your mouth and jaw in some of the same ways that smoking does. It is a healthy way to keep yourself busy while you’re working toward quitting.

If you are looking for a chemical aid to quit smoking, then be very careful about this approach. Drugs such as Chantix have a relatively weak success rate and can have the potential to cause severe damage to your body. It works by altering your brain chemistry, and can lead to severe depression and suicidal tendencies.

Let your family and friends know if you plan to quit smoking. When you tell these people you’ve quit, they will motivate you to stay committed. Their support will be a big boost in helping you on the road to stopping smoking once and for all.

Make sure you do not feel as if you have to give up any aspect of your life because you are quitting smoking. Anything that you do you can still do as an ex-smoker. Who knows, you may even be able to do your favorite things a little bit better.

Try to create a list of reasons why you are quitting. Keep it handy. This list will serve as a reminder of all the things that you are getting by quitting in the long run. Every time you feel the urge to smoke, try to take a good long look at your list and it will help you stick to your plan.

The health of your loved ones depends on you to quit smoking. Secondhand smoke can lead to many grave health issues. When you quit, you lower their exposure to secondhand smoke. Quitting will not only improve your own health, but it can help your loved ones to become healthier, as well.

To help you quit smoking, some people say that eating low calorie snack foods is very effective. Try purchasing mini carrots, cut up broccoli, cauliflower, dried fruit, low calorie cereal, or sugar-free candy. Consuming any of these items when you have the desire to smoke can help control cravings and keep your mouth busy.

Before beginning to quit, talk with your doctor about your intentions. Your doctor can advise you on the best methods to quit, and if need be, can provide you with prescription drugs to aid your quitting. Also, your doctor can be an important sounding board throughout your entire quitting experience.

Don’t worry if you have a relapse. It’s not uncommon for a smoker to try multiple times to quit before they succeed. Always think about what made you relapse, and try to avoid that situation in the future. Decide on a new day to quit, prepare yourself, and stick with it.

If you find your willpower fading and you are on the verge of reaching for a cigarette, call someone for support. The person can be a friend, family member or even a coworker. Just make sure that it’s someone who will listen to your feelings and respond honestly. Spending time on the phone will distract you while the craving passes, and it is good to know you have support in your battle with nicotine.

If the fear of gaining weight is the only thing holding you back from quitting, you should know that gaining weight is not inevitable. Many former smokers never gain any weight when they quit. That said, gaining a few pounds is still far healthier than continuing to smoke. With a bit of exercise and mindful snacking, this fear should play no part in keeping you from quitting.

Drink a good amount of fruit juice for the first week when you’re trying to quit smoking. This can help to flush toxins, such as nicotine, from your body. It will also help to raise your blood glucose level, which might be lowered a bit when you stop smoking.

You probably know a lot of the great benefits that your decision to smoking will bring. Keep those in mind to motivate you, and don’t forget to keep the tips from the above article in mind when you feel your resolve slipping, or when you have a craving to smoke. Take it one day at a time and you will soon be a non-smoker.

You Don’t Have To Smoke Anymore With These Helpful Quitting Tips was originally published on Spring