Are you looking to quit smoking? Has quitting escaped your grasp once before, or maybe even several times? There is no need to lose hope that you will accomplish your goal to quit smoking. You may simply need to approach your efforts in a fresh new way.

Try the following advice on your next attempt to quit smoking.

One way to boost your success with quitting smoking, is building a list good and bad associations with quitting. Putting something down in writing can alter your entire outlook. It can keep you focused on your goal, which should make it easier to quit.

Try to avoid alcohol if you’re trying to quit smoking. Alcohol and cigarettes are naturally complimentary to each other. In addition, alcohol lowers your mental focus, meaning you are more likely to give in to temptation or peer pressure. If you avoid alcohol, you’re more likely to stay clear of mind. This might just mean that quitting becomes a bit easier.

Take the money that you would usually throw away on your cigarettes and spend it on yourself on something that you really want. This is sort of like a reward for your hard work. Treat yourself to an expensive coat, a nice jacket or even that pair of shoes that you have been eying.

The decision to quit smoking entails a massive lifestyle change, so be sure you are ready for the commitment before you plunge into it. You should take time to sit down and create a dedicated plan to quitting smoking. This plan should entail account for your unique situation and triggers as well.

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.

Enlist your friends and family to support you with your decision to stop smoking. Those closest to you can be a real help in keeping you on track and smoke-free. Inform everyone of your intentions to quit smoking before your quit date, and let them know specifically how they can be of best help to you.

To fully prepare yourself with the struggles of quitting, know exactly what to expect before you start. Know how soon you can expect symptoms of nicotine withdrawal to kick in, and know all of the possible symptoms you could experience. This will also help you to anticipate your strongest cravings and most likely pitfalls.

When you are trying to quit smoking, use the method that works best for you. Some people have more success by quitting gradually, while others do better by quitting cold turkey. Try one method, and if it does not work for you, switch to the other method to see if it gives you better results.

If you’ve quit before, don’t assume that whatever you tried didn’t work. If using the patch let you go three weeks without smoking, think instead about what caused you to light up again in week four. Plan your next attempt with the knowledge and optimism that the patch can get you through three weeks, and then have a secondary plan to get through the fourth week.

If you aren’t successful on your first attempt, don’t be discouraged. Quitting smoking is hard, and even a well-prepared effort may fail on occasion. Be honest with yourself about why you failed this time, and be ready to combat that weakness next time. You could triumph next time because of what you learned this time around.

Don’t use weight gain as an excuse to continue smoking. While it is true that some individuals gain weight when they quit, it doesn’t mean that you will. Make healthy eating choices when you’re feeling hungry because you aren’t smoking and the weight won’t pile on. Even if you do gain a few pounds, remember that it is much healthier than continuing to smoke.

If you aren’t afraid of the long-term health hazards of smoking, then tap into your vanity to help you stop. Did you know that smoking can cause wrinkles, yellow fingernails, and cause you to lose your teeth? It can also lead to macular degeneration, which in turn leads to blindness.

Think about how good you felt before you smoked. Focus on how healthy, happy and active you were as a smoke-free child. Think about the foods you loved, the scents you loved and how fit you were, this will give you added incentive to stop smoking.

As you can see, quitting smoking is well within your grasp. You can learn to overcome your addiction with the knowledge you need to conquer your cravings. You will be a more confident person without a physiological addiction in your way, so consider these tips and set a quit-date today!

Tired Of Struggling To Quit Smoking? Try These Simple Tips! was originally published on Spring