It does not matter how many times you have tried to quit smoking in the past, this time will be THE time that you are successful. You need to be mentally prepared, recognize triggers, and have a plan in place that will have you smelling fresh for the days ahead. Read on if you want to know the best ways to beat this habit.
Quit smoking gradually. Avoid quitting cold turkey, which seldom works. Many people who attempt to quit will fail on their first try. Nicotine is very, very addictive, try using some medication, therapy, or the nicotine patch. You will have an easier time making it through early withdrawal, which will give you a better chance of quitting.
To keep yourself motivated to quit smoking, be clear about why you want to quit. While there are many good reasons to quit smoking, you want to focus on your most powerful, personal reasons. Every time you feel tempted, remind yourself how much you want to improve your health, save money or set a good example for your kids.
To quit smoking for good, you’ll get better results by gradually weaning yourself than you would if you tried to quit cold turkey. Nearly all people that try to quit cold turkey fail as a result of nicotine withdrawal. Cut back slowly and steadily, and if the cravings are still too powerful then subsidize your efforts with medication or other tools.
If you want to quit smoking, you need to identify factors that will motivate you to stop. Preventing lung cancer, tooth decay, gum disease and emphysema, or protecting your family are strong motivators. Showing respect for your body and for the gift of life is also a powerful motivating force. Whatever reason you choose, it needs to be enough to prevent you from lighting up again in the future.
Believe it or not, exercise can be the key you need to quitting smoking. Usually, many people smoke because they feel overwhelmed or stressed out. When they feel stressed, they turn to cigarettes for support. Cigarettes can be replaced by exercise. Also, exercise is good for a person’s overall health.
Kick the smoking habit for the health of your loved ones. Secondhand smoke can negatively impact one’s overall health, and tarnish their lungs. By quitting smoking, you are reducing your loved ones’ exposure to this dangerous substance, and improving the quality of the air they breathe. Quitting smoking will not only improve your health, but the health of your family and friends as well.
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.
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.
Don’t give up if you slip up. Anytime someone tries to give something up that they have been doing for years, there will likely be a struggle. When that struggle exists, slip ups often happen. If you do slip up, get right back on track and try again. The worst thing you can do is turn a slip up into an excuse to keep smoking, so don’t do it.
Learn and use positive mantras. Tell yourself that you’re strong and powerful and that you can quit. Let yourself know that you believe in yourself and that you know you will be successful. When you make positive mantras such as these, a part of your life, success will follow. This is as true for quitting smoking as it is for every other aspect of your life.
You can make your efforts to quit smoking a little easier by getting rid of things that remind you of smoking. Scour your house to find all ashtrays, lighters and empty packs, and throw them away. Wash your house and clothes thoroughly so that they no longer smell like smoke. This will stop anything that reminds you of your smoking days to trigger a craving.
Look into non-traditional methods of quitting smoking. No one quits smoking the same way and what works for your friend, may not work for you. If you are having trouble quitting with the more conventional methods, take a look at your options. Hypnosis and acupuncture are both highly successful methods to help you quit.
Deep breathing may help reduce your cravings. This gives you some time to think about the reason you quit. Sometimes, simply taking a time out and refocusing may be enough to set you back on track. You can use simple deep breathing exercises whenever you need to, no matter where you are.
In order to quit, you must believe that you can do it. While the physical cravings and withdrawal symptoms of smoking are difficult, your brain is the most important item in your fight. You must be able to work past your cravings and that fight is all mental. Believe that you can do it and you will see success.
To quit smoking, you may want to think about going through hypnotherapy. During a session, the therapist will put you into a relaxing, dreamlike state and tell you not to smoke. Also, he or she may repeat certain reasons for you to quit so that you have this in your head when you wake up.
There is no easy way to quit smoking. But if you are truly dedicated to getting rid of this habit once and for all, then put the tips that have been provided to you to good use. A day at a time, sometimes even an hour at a time, is the mentality that will get you through.
