If you’ve been smoking for a long time, you might be afraid that quitting is going to be close to impossible. Although it’s not usually easy to quit, most people can do so with determination, effort and knowledge of the best techniques. Read on for some information about ways to help you stop smoking.
Remember that smoking cessation is really all about replacing one behavior with another. For most people, it is primarily the physical act of smoking that is the major draw. It signifies “me time” and a break from a hectic schedule or a boring job. Choose ahead of time exactly what behavior you will replace those smoking minutes with, and then do it!
If you are trying to quit smoking all together then you need to commit and stop carrying your cigarettes around with you. If you do not have cigarettes with you then you make it less convenient to smoke. This will make it easier for you to quit in the long run.
Make a list and itemize all the methods you will use to make this lofty goal. Sitting down to create a list, personalized to your lifestyle, is a great way to get started. Everyone does things their own way. It is important to find what your best options are. Making a list helps with that process.
If you smoke as a way to control stress, you’ll want to have other stress remediation techniques ready when you decide to quit. Keep yourself out of situations that may stress you out for the first few weeks after you’ve quit. You can also manage your stress through yoga, meditation or by getting a massage.
As soon as you decide to quit smoking, tell all of your family and friends. Not only will this help you to build a good support group, but it will also encourage you to stick to your goal. You might even inspire one of your loved ones to quit with you.
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.
Once you commit to quitting smoking, give your home, car and other personal spaces and effects a thorough cleaning. Smelling smoke will only make you want to smoke. Likewise, your sense of smell will improve the longer you go without smoking, and cleaning will give you a chance to appreciate just how bad the smoke made your items smell.
Receiving support from friends and family members can go a long way in helping you to quit smoking. It’s especially important to remind them that getting over an addiction can cause mood swings and irritability. If people close to you are understanding of the situation, it will make relapsing that much easier to avoid.
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.
Don’t quit smoking cold turkey. Nineteen of twenty cold turkey quitters relapse and wind up smoking again. If you are going to quit, have something to help you. Jump into this armed with anything you can, from a support group to a prescription medicine. Your willpower might free you from cigarettes for a few days, but not for life.
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.
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.
Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but it is possible. The strategies you just read can help you to quit with a minimum of pain or frustration. Pick a couple of strategies and start working on kicking your smoking habit today. Soon you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of being smoke-free.
