Smoking is not something most people are proud of. Many people would love to quit, but it is not an easy task. There are some proven tips that have helped many have success when kicking the habit. Read the following article and you will be closer to putting down the cigarettes.
If you are looking for a chemical aid to quit smoking, then be very careful about this approach. Drugs such as Chantix have a relatively weak success rate and can have the potential to cause severe damage to your body. It works by altering your brain chemistry, and can lead to severe depression and suicidal tendencies.
Remember that your attitude is everything. When you are beginning to feel down, you need to try to make yourself proud that you are quitting. Smoking is bad for you and each time you conquer the urge to smoke, you should feel proud as you are taking vital steps toward a healthier you.
Many report gaining weight during or after the time that they quit smoking, so you may want to start eating those fruits and vegetables now. These healthy snacks can help you maintain a steady weight. Eating more is okay as long as you make the right choices.
Smoking has very strong associations with some activities, and avoiding these situations can help you stop smoking. For instance, change things like smoking when driving or reading so that you don’t automatically think about your smoking habit. Choose another activity instead of smoking while engaging in these activities. This will distract you from cigarette cravings.
To effectively quit smoking, have a plan mapped out. Take some time to prepare yourself by writing down the steps you will take to quit, who you will call for support, and what you will do if you should slip up. Putting these things in writing makes them concrete, and it is much like making a contract with yourself. This can have a very powerful affect on your mindset, helping you to stay focused on your journey toward quitting.
Stay motivated as often as possible, as this can elevate your chances to quit smoking. Perhaps posting inspirational signs on your wall, or having a piece of jewelry that reminds you of your efforts will help. You can also purchase yourself a piece of jewelry to wear as a visual reminder of your dedication to stop smoking.
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.
Increasing the amount of exercise you do can help you quit smoking. Exercise not only distracts you from smoking, but it also helps to reverse all the damage you have done to your body over the years by smoking cigarettes. Start slowly if you have to, and gradually increase the amount of exercise you do each day.
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.
Do not get discouraged if you fail to quit the first time you try. Even the plans that are highly organized sometimes fail. Find your weaknesses and create solid backup plans to keep them from derailing you again. Try, try again and you will succeed down the road.
If you smoke because of a triggering situation or feeling, when you’re trying to quit do your best to avoid the situations that set off your trigger. For example, if you normally smoke at the end of a meal, chew on some gum instead. If you smoke while in traffic in your car, pick an alternate route or take public transportation. Think of other triggers and ways you can avoid them.
Drink a good amount of fruit juice for the first week when you’re trying to quit smoking. This can help to flush toxins, such as nicotine, from your body. It will also help to raise your blood glucose level, which might be lowered a bit when you stop smoking.
If an activity becomes difficult and makes you crave a cigarette, try to step away from it. There are some activities that might just naturally make you crave a cigarette. These might include drinking a cup of coffee or hanging out in a bar with friends. If you’re not strong enough to handles these activities without a cigarette, realize it and just walk away.
There are many things you can try to if you want to quit smoking. Even though it can be quite difficult, you can do it with some dedication and patience. Try the tips offered in this article and you can be on your way to finally say good-bye to smoking.
Drop That Smoking Habit Today With These Effective Strategies was originally published on Spring