Smoking is one of the hardest habits to break. There are so many contraptions, patches, gum and other medications that claim they will help you get rid of the habit, but it is hard to decide on the right one. Hopefully, the advice in this article will help you decide on the right route for you to get tobacco free.
Write down the reasons why you want to quit smoking. Post the list someplace where you’ll see it every day, to help keep you motivated. Include not only the reasons that directly benefit you, but also the reasons that quitting will benefit your friends and family. Being able to read your list every day will remind you of why you stopped smoking in the first place.
Stop smoking once and for all by replacing those moments that you enjoy a cigarette with physical exercise. Not only will it be a distraction to you, but you will also benefit in a huge way by developing a healthier and more attractive body. It may be hard at first due to the effects of nicotine in your system, but start small, with a walk around the block.
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.
One of the hardest things to deal with when quitting smoking is the oral fixation. Once you give up cigarettes, consider carrying sugar-free candies, cough drops or coffee stirrers around to keep your mouth busy and keep you mind off of cigarettes. There are also devices made to help you quit smoking that will also help keep you mouth busy.
Talk to a doctor to acquire a better idea of the options available for quitting smoking. He will have access to techniques and tools that you won’t be able to get on your own. Additionally, your doctor may prescribe medications to make quitting easier for you, so long as he or she feels that such treatments are appropriate for your situation.
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.
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.
Rid your home and car of cigarettes, lighters, ashtrays, and matches. Seeing any of these items, or even smelling stale, disgusting cigarette smoke may be enough to weaken your resolve to stop smoking. Be sure to throw everything to do with smoking away. Do not pack it in a box to get rid of later.
When quitting smoking, it’s best not to immediately cut yourself off. While stopping cigarettes and having a clean break sounds great it theory, it’s very rarely effective. In fact, some studies have found that only 5% of people who use the cold turkey method of quitting smoking manage to remain cigarette free.
Enlist the help of those closest to you when you decide to stop smoking. This includes family members, friends and coworkers. Tell them. If they do not know that you are attempting this very important step in your life, they will not know how to help you. Tell them to expect grouchiness, trouble sleeping and impatience. Most importantly, they can help you plan activities in smoke-free environments.
Cut your caffeine intake in half. Somehow, nicotine cuts the effectiveness of caffeine in half, so after quitting, soda and coffee will be doubly effective. Drop your consumption of these so that you don’t cause your anxiety to become even worse than it already is at this difficult time.
Become a second-hand smoker. After you make it three weeks and have made tobacco freedom your new habit, you will still have cravings from time to time. You might not want to smoke, but just miss the lovely smell. Stand downwind of current smokers for a brief moment of nostalgic aroma and then move on.
Smoking is one of the hardest addictions to break. While there are many options out there, it can be difficult to find the best way for you to quit smoking. Use the helpful tips in this article to help you quit that nasty habit and stay off cigarettes for life.
Quitting Smoking Is Easier With This Great Advice was originally published on Spring