If you knew the magic secret to quitting smoking, it would be so easy to just put those cigarettes down forever. Many people struggle with quitting, and try several different methods before they find one that finally works. If you are trying to quit, check out the tips below and see if you can find some inspiration and help on your journey to quitting smoking for good.
To aid in smoking cessation, remove yourself from your circle of friends who smoke. Don’t worry; this is just a temporary measure, but you really do need to do this. Constant exposure to cigarette smoke, plus the social aspect of smoking together, will automatically squash your hopes for success.
If smoking a cigarette is something you cannot avoid, at least try and stall for time before lighting up. Whatever you can do to delay smoking will help, so take a walk, drink some water or lie down. This will help you to reduce your temptations and shift your focus elsewhere. If you desire to smoke a cigarette, the delay could cause you to smoke one less cigarette that day.
When you smoke, you sometimes are just obsessed with the feeling of having something in your mouth. This can be replaced with a less dangerous habit such as chewing gum or eating candy. Anytime you feel like smoking, just have a piece of hard candy or chew a stick of gum.
When you have a smoking urge, try the delay tactic. By reminding yourself that you will revisit your feelings in ten minutes, and keeping yourself occupied while those minutes pass, you may find that your craving has vanished within that period of time. If you still do crave a cigarette, continuing using this tactic until it finally works.
Do not quit alone. Tell everyone you around on regularly that you are trying to quit smoking. They can provide support and encouragement and it can make a huge difference. You might also consider a support group or a counselor. Behavior therapy can help you come up with and stick to strategies that will help you quit smoking.
Quit until you get it right. The ex-smokers you know probably were not successful on their first try. Just set your goal for one day, and then work on the next day once you get there. If you do relapse, set a new date to quit again. Each time you quit smoking and have a relapse, learn what went wrong and strive to quit for longer the next time. You will find that you will become better at quitting, and eventually you will quit altogether.
Consider any therapy that can replace nicotine. Smoking itself is kind of disgusting and easy to give up, but the nicotine withdrawal usually proves the nail in the coffin of a quit attempt. Do whatever you can to deal with the withdrawal, from medicine prescriptions to alternatives like the patch, gum or even throat lozenges.
When you’re ready to quit smoking, don’t be afraid to seek the advice of a physician. A doctor can guide you in many ways on how to quit, whether it’s recommending a nicotine replacement product, or outlining an exercise plan, or even just offering authoritative words of encouragement and support.
Be open about your intention to quit. Let your friends, family and coworkers know that you are going to do it and when your date is. Current smokers will likely be considerate enough to stop smoking around you at that time. You’ll also find out who is supportive and who is critical of your habit. Finding support and sources of encouragement might make a future quitting attempt successful, if this one is not the one.
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.
Stay away from the kind of situations where you would be tempted to smoke. If you had morning coffee and a cigarette or went to happy hour and smoked, change your routine. Having coffee while inside the car or staying away from the bar enables you to stop your cravings.
To clarify why it is so important for you to quit, ask the people you love to tell you how they think smoking has affected you. Just be prepared to hear unpleasant comments about how your car or clothes smell or more emotional confessions like how your kids worry about your health.
As you can see, quitting is a challenge that many people have to deal with. It is certainly possible, however, and you, too, can quit with the right guidance and help. Try the tips mentioned above and see if you can use them to give up your relationship with smoking forever.
