Your family doesn’t want you to smoke. Your doctor urges you to do the same. Your insurance company may even offer you a discount for quitting. What is stopping you? Find the tips and advice you need in this article to help you quit. The time is now; and when you do, do not look back.

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.

Sometimes people think they can quit smoking by switching to a product such as chewing-tobacco. This isn’t a good idea because usually chewing-tobacco contains more nicotine. You might end up just replacing one addiction for another. If you really want a product that can help you quit, try nicotine gum instead. You can slowly taper off the gum. They don’t usually sell progressively weaker versions of chewing tobacco.

In order to succeed with your goal of quitting smoking, it’s important that you write down the benefits that are derived from quitting smoking. Some examples include living a longer life, feeling great, smelling better, saving money, etc. Lots of benefits are gained from eliminating smoking from your life. Writing them down can help to keep you motivated to succeed.

If you are trying to stop smoking, get a lot of rest. The longer you stay up, the more cravings you’ll face. Additionally, you will be alone late at night, increasing your temptation to smoke. Get an optimal amount of sleep each night to help manage your cravings.

As soon as you decide to quit smoking, tell all of your family and friends. Not only will this help you to build a good support group, but it will also encourage you to stick to your goal. You might even inspire one of your loved ones to quit with you.

If you’re a smoker who lights up more in social situations, plan ways to not join your friends for a cigarette when you’re out. While dining, stay at the table if your friends go outside for to smoke. If you’re at a party, if people are smoking, find a non-smoker to chat with. Finding ways to not be around smokers will make it easier for you to quit.

Have a friend or family member quit who smokes quit at the same time as you. Just like other things in life, such as losing weight, quitting is easier when someone else knows where you are coming from. The two of you can share tips or just vent to each other.

Always keep in mind that there is only one outcome from taking another puff of a cigarette. That outcome is smoking again at the level that you were at, until the habit cripples you and you are in the hospital dying. This is a scary truth that will help you stay on track.

Commit to quitting. Individuals who are able to successfully quit smoking commit themselves fully. They don’t have a back up plan, they don’t keep quitting a secret, and they don’t tell themselves that they will fail. If you make this type of commitment you will significantly increase your chances of successfully meeting your goal.

If you are serious about quitting your smoking habit, you need to get good at it. Quite a few people who have quit smoking made multiple attempts before achieving success. Just stop, and see how far you can go without starting back. If you do start up again, immediately pick a new “quit” date. Just keep on quitting for a day at a time. Those days will soon turn into weeks, and then into months. Eventually, you will get good at doing this, and you will quit and not go back.

Have true faith in the fact that you can quit smoking. You must believe it in order truly quit. You can’t go into it half-heartedly. Consider all the tough things you have accomplished in other aspects of your life, and use those memories to fuel your full commitment to stopping smoking.

Once you get to the point that you should be done smoking altogether, throw away any extra tobacco products. This reduces the temptation to have “just one more cigarette.” You should also get rid of any cigarette paraphernalia that could trigger cravings, including everything from a favorite lighter to ashtrays to your old butts.

After reading this article, you should be prepared to finally quit smoking. Once you are a non-smoker, you’ll enjoy better health, increased mood, and a longer lifespan. Thank your family by using the money you are saving to do something special for them. They supported you through your trials, so they deserve it!

Quit Smoking This Minute With These Good Ideas! was originally published on Spring