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.

To boost your chances of quitting smoking, make a list of pluses and minuses about stopping. By writing these things down, you begin to control the direction of your outlook on quitting. It can strengthen your motivation to quit, and reduce the difficulty of quitting, by keeping your attention on your desire to quit.

If you’re doing well on your stop smoking journey, don’t forget to reward yourself. Treat yourself to a nice massage, a pedicure, or a special new outfit when you’ve cut back, and then something else when you’ve stopped entirely. You need to have rewards like this to look forward to, as they can help to keep you motivated.

Before you begin the process of quitting your nicotine habit for good, take the time to make a specific plan of action. Merely thinking that you can muster up the willpower when needed is a poor way to approach this very addictive habit. Write down a list of things that you will do instead of reaching for that cigarette. This can include going for a walk, calling a friend, making a fresh fruit smoothie, or any number of diversions.

Sometimes when you’re trying to quit smoking, scare tactics can help. Scan a few pictures of cancer patients, individuals who have aged significantly due to cigarettes, or damaged lungs. Keep these in view at all times and they just might scare you into staying away from those dangerous cigarettes.

Using some type of nicotine replacement is a good way to slowly ease your addiction to smoking when you’re trying to quit. Nicotine replacements come in many forms, including lozenges, gum, and patches that can be worn on the body. These products give your body a small dose of nicotine, which eases cravings for using tobacco products.

Try not to eat too much to fill the void left from quitting cigarettes. Nicotine is an appetite suppressant, so do not be surprised when you start to feel hungrier after quitting. Eat healthier when you quit smoking cigarettes. This will give you more room for calories you will consume by snacking.

Cravings seem to come most often when an individual is feeling stressed. To keep yourself from falling victim to this, find a healthy alternative for stress relief. Get some exercise when cravings hit, engage in a hobby or teach your partner to give a great massage. When you’ve got downtime, distract yourself with friends, books and games, so you don’t think of smoking.

In addition to quitting smoking, you should also cut back on foods and drinks that trigger nicotine cravings. For example, you will be more vulnerable to your nicotine addiction when you drink alcohol. If you regularly drink coffee when you smoke, then you should cut back on that too to reduce craving-inducing associations.

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.

Learn how to manage stress. One of the top reasons people smoke is because the nicotine can help them relax. Once you are able to quit, you are going to need to find another way to cope with your stress. You can get massages regularly, listen to relaxing music or learn tai chi or yoga. If you can, avoid situations that cause you a lot of stress while you are quitting and soon after.

If the cigarettes you smoke after meals are some of the hardest to give up, replace the habit of smoking after eating with brushing your teeth or chewing minty gum. Slowly, you will break your old habit and build a much healthier association between finishing a meal and freshening your breath.

Reduce the amount of cigarettes you smoke. If you want to quit smoking completely, this can get you pointed in the right direction. It is wise to hold off for at least 60 minutes prior to having the initial cigarette of each day. In addition, you can smoke less by only smoking a half cigarette each time you smoke.

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.

Change Your Habits And Stop Smoking With These Tips! was originally published on Spring