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.
Be cognizant of routine activities that trigger the desire to have a smoke. For some, it is the first cup of coffee in the morning. For others it may be the end of a meal, or socializing with smoking friends. Whatever your trigger may be, this is the time you must remind yourself that you are quitting because you care enough about yourself that you want to.
If you have very strong associations between smoking and drinking coffee or smoking while you’re drinking, you may need to avoid these triggers for a while. Once you feel comfortable enough in your ability to stay away from cigarettes, you can slowly bring back that morning cup of joe or happy hour with your friends.
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.
Cut down on smoking. This is the first step in your journey on the way to quitting, and even cutting back a little can give you a boost of confidence and motivation. When you first wake up each morning, try to be up for at least one hour before you light up the first cigarette of the day. A great way to reduce the amount of cigarettes you are smoking is to only allow yourself to be able to smoke half of the cigarette at any time.
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.
Do not try to set a day to quit. Instead of trying to make a plan, quit today. This sort of planning nearly never works and it will lead to disappointment. Start quitting right away, rather than trying to create an imaginary timeline for yourself. Take action and you will get where you want to be.
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.
When you are trying to quit smoking, sometimes you have to change other habits which trigger your desire for a puff. Instead of that cup of coffee or that alcoholic drink, have a glass of juice or water. Many people still have an urge to have a smoke after finishing a meal. After a meal, take a walk. Not only will it help take your mind off having a smoke, it will also help keep off the weight that is commonly associated with giving up smoking.
It can be easier to quit smoking if you are able to articulate exactly why you want to quit. Try writing down a list of all of the reasons that you should quit smoking. This can include the benefits you will experience, people in your life, or any reasons at all that are important to you.
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.
When cravings strike, remember that they almost always pass within 10 minutes, so do something to distract yourself. Walk to the water cooler, have a healthy snack, meditate, or call a supportive friend to keep your mind off your craving. You’ll be surprised at how quickly it’s over, and your delaying tactics can keep you from giving in.
Speak with your physician about prescription drug solutions to help you kick the habit. Many advances have been made with medications for smoking cessation. There are so many options available to you, from nicotine replacement to prescriptions, that you will be able to quit in no time. Discuss all of your options with your physician to find the strategy that will help you kick the habit once and for all.
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!
Quitting Smoking Is Hard – These Tips Can Help! was originally published on Spring