Quitting smoking is very difficult for many people, especially if they lack the information and support that are necessary to be successful. This article has information potential quitters need to know, as well as specific steps they need to take to quit smoking. If they use this advice, it will enhance their chance of success.
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.
Make a list of reasons that you want to quit smoking, and keep them in your wallet. Your reasons may include your family, living to see a special event, or anything you find meaningful. Whenever you have moments of weakness, pull out your list for several reminders of what you are working toward.
Nicotine replacement therapy can be an effective weapon in breaking the smoking habit. As you are going through nicotine withdrawal, you might feel irritable, restless, frustrated or depressed. Cravings can often be overwhelming. You can help with the cravings by using nicotine replacement therapy. Research has shown those using nicotine patches, gum or lozenges have twice the chance of successfully quitting. But, you should never use these nicotine replacements while you are still smoking.
Take the time to really sit down and think about how quitting smoking will improve your life. This is especially effective if you already have serious health conditions that smoking can exacerbate, like asthma or diabetes. If your family has a predisposition for cancer, then it can also be very powerful for you to acknowledge that quitting now could actually save your life.
Don’t allow yourself “just one puff”. The mind can sometimes play tricks on you, especially when you’re trying to give up a habit that you have had for years. Don’t allow yourself to give in to the idea that just one cigarette won’t hurt. It will hurt, and it might just keep you from being able to quit at all.
You need to do everything possible to keep your determination and motivation to quit smoking high. Surround yourself with motivational notes, or attach meaning to a piece of jewelry, wearing it often. This can curb your temptations, which are the primary culprits for smoking cigarettes.
Having a fixed date for when you want to be done with smoking can give you something to focus on. Deadlines often make it easier to achieve a task, and quitting smoking is no different. If you tell yourself that you must quit by a certain date, you will make a greater effort to do so.
Use “NOPE,” a.k.a not one puff ever, for your mantra. While it’s easy to believe that one cigarette will be okay, the truth is that it will ruin all of the hard work you’ve done up to this point. Let yourself know that even having one will cause a lot of damage.
You may have smoked when stressed. If you have done this, you need to look for different techniques on how to relax when you’re stressed out. Meditation, breathing techniques or yoga can be effective for calming and refocusing your thoughts.
Get family and friends to help once you commit to stopping. In fact, make sure everyone is aware of the fact that you are quitting. They can’t do the work themselves, but they can cheer you on from the sidelines, and anyone who has played sports knows how much that matters. Also, consider attending a support group or getting some behavioral therapy to assist you in quitting.
If you are pregnant, or plan or becoming that way, then use this as a serious motivation to stop smoking. Statistics say that women who smoke while carrying a child, especially in the first trimester, will cause the infant to have a decreased body weight. This will in turn affect their health, potentially throughout childhood.
Do not try to quit alone. Let your friends and family know when and why you are quitting. Ask them to help support you in your efforts. Have a friend that you can call whenever you feel the urge for a cigarette. The benefits of a support system to a successful quitting process are incalculable.
As already mentioned, giving up cigarettes is very hard. Learning to stop smoking can be very confusing and daunting for many people. With the right information, the chance of successfully quitting is greatly increased. By following the steps outlined in this article, a person can learn the information they need to quit smoking.
