You may be reading this article on your smartphone while standing outside in difficult weather and smoking a cigarette. By all means, you are probably tired of being treated like a pariah. If you have the initiative to quit smoking, this article can help you start your path on the right foot.
Deal with nicotine withdrawal. Once you quit smoking, nicotine withdrawal can make you anxious, frustrated, or depressed. It’s all too easy to revert to your old habit. Nicotine replacement therapy can really help to relieve these symptoms. Whether it’s in the form of gum, a patch, or a lozenge, using one of these will probably double your chances of succeeding.
To keep your hands and mouth busy while trying to quit smoking, keep crunchy vegetables like carrots or celery on hand. These low-calorie snacks will not only keep your hands busy, but they will steady your blood sugar and keep you from reaching for higher-calorie foods that could lead to weight gain.
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.
It is extremely important that you talk to a doctor prior to quitting smoking. This person can provide you some advice on your best methods of quitting. In addition, he or she can provide you some additional support on your journey. Both of these things greatly increase your chances of quitting for good.
Take the money that you would usually throw away on your cigarettes and spend it on yourself on something that you really want. This is sort of like a reward for your hard work. Treat yourself to an expensive coat, a nice jacket or even that pair of shoes that you have been eying.
Learn how to manage stress. One of the top reasons people smoke is because the nicotine can help them relax. Once you are able to quit, you are going to need to find another way to cope with your stress. You can get massages regularly, listen to relaxing music or learn tai chi or yoga. If you can, avoid situations that cause you a lot of stress while you are quitting and soon after.
Avoid situations that you would be more likely to smoke. For example, if a bar that you frequent allows smoking, you may want to think about going to a different bar. By avoiding these kinds of situations, you will be less apt to want to pick up a cigarette in the first place.
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.
Start moving. Physical activity is a great for reducing nicotine cravings and can ease some of the withdrawal symptoms. When you crave a cigarette, go for a jog instead. Even mild exercise can be helpful, like pulling the weeds in the garden or taking a leisurely stroll. Plus, the extra activity will burn extra calories and help ward off any weight gain as you are quitting smoking.
Avoid dieting when trying to quit smoking. A lot of aspiring quitters try to diet while quitting so they can avoid the supposedly inevitable weight gain. However, in doing so, they’re depriving their bodies of too much at once and they wind up relapsing. This just means gaining weight, while they’re still smoking.
Try gradually cutting back on the number of cigarettes that you smoke. However, you should have a day that you will quit set in stone. For example, you could plan out the number of cigarettes you plan on smoking until the day that you quit. Try making the number that you smoke each day smaller and smaller until this day arrives. This method has been proven to work for many people.
Talk to your doctor about medications that can be used to help you quit. There are more new products on the market than ever that are designed specifically to help people quit smoking. There are numerous options available to help you as you quit smoking. There is everything from drugs which reduce withdrawal symptoms to nicotine replacement therapies to wean you off slowly. Ask a physician what they’d recommend so you can quit.
It should be easy to see by now that quitting smoking is within your reach. You simply need the determination to make it through the more uncomfortable stages of detoxification, and victory can be yours. Remember that there are many benefits to quitting, so begin your efforts today by applying these tips.
