Kicking the habit can be beneficial to your health, your social life and your wallet. So why is it so hard to do? This article has some great advice on the things you can do to finally quit for good. Keep reading to see what might help you out.
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.
Make sure you get sufficient sleep as you attempt to stop smoking. For many smokers, staying up for extended hours can lead to increased cravings. This is also an easier time to sneak in a cigarette. Obtaining a full eight hours of sleep nightly allows you to maintain your motivation and your ability to combat cigarette cravings.
Consulting your doctor or a specialist can help you get the help that you need to be successful. There may be prescription medication that can help making quitting easier, including some antidepressants. Your doctor probably can also offer information about hot-lines, support groups and other resources that will increase the likelihood that you will be able to quit.
Nicotine replacement products are a great tool for quitting smoking. The effects of nicotine withdrawal can cause depression, moodiness and frustration. Cravings can be extremely tough to resist. Using nicotine replacement therapy will help to relieve these symptoms of withdrawal. Research proves that nicotine replacement products such as gum, patches or lozenges can double the success rate for quitting. However, do not use those products if you are still smoking.
Commit yourself totally to your decision to quit smoking. If you are determined to quit smoking then put your whole soul into the effort. Announce to family and close friends that you are quitting and need support. Write down your specific goals and make them as detailed as you can. Also write down your individual reasons for quitting. Post both lists where you can easily see them – like the bathroom mirror. Join a support group and attend meetings, whether online or in person. Go all in and make this happen.
Reward each of your milestones when you are trying to quit smoking. On your one week anniversary you could visit a movie, for example. Once you’ve passed that month long milestone, enjoy a fancy night out at your favorite restaurant. After that, keep making the reward better until you’re at a point where smoking is no longer an issue.
In addition to quitting smoking, you should also cut back on foods and drinks that trigger nicotine cravings. For example, you will be more vulnerable to your nicotine addiction when you drink alcohol. If you regularly drink coffee when you smoke, then you should cut back on that too to reduce craving-inducing associations.
When you’re ready to quit smoking, and have a plan in place to do so, set a firm date after which you won’t smoke anymore. Prepare for the date, and make a big deal out of it. Think of it as the day when you regain control of your life, and make it a joyous occasion.
Have alternate coping mechanisms in place to deal with the stress that you used handle by smoking before you attempt to quit. Avoid as many stressful situations as possible in the early stages of your attempt to quit. Soothing music, yoga and massage can help you deal with any stress you do encounter.
Remember that the hardest part of quitting is usually those first couple of days. Mentally prepare yourself to tough it out for just the first two days, and then just the first week, and you will probably be in good shape after that. Your body will be doing a good amount of detoxifying in those first few days and if you can make it through that stage, you can make it through anything.
Quit smoking with a buddy. Having someone else with whom to commiserate and celebrate will make your success even sweeter. Choose a friend, relative, or co-worker who also wants to quit, or pair up with someone on an online support forum. Having someone by your side will make the process much easier to tolerate and will help you stay accountable.
Find out specifics on how quitting smoking will improve your health. There are many statistics out there about how dramatically different your odds of contracting diseases are if you don’t smoke. Find out too how soon you can expect to experience other small perks like improved breathing and sense of taste.
As you can see, it is very important that you find a way to stop smoking. Not only is it bad for your health, but the social and economic consequences can be just as dire. If you use the ideas here you can find a way to finally kick that smoking habit.
