Quitting smoking is not easy for most people. Luckily, there are some helpful tips that have been shared by those who have had great success with kicking the habit. Read the following article and find out some things you can try when are ready to stop smoking for good.
When you are close to giving in to your cravings for a cigarette, think of a delay before you are allowed to indulge. Force yourself to complete some other chore, before you can have a cigarette. Sometimes, delaying smoking can help you resist smoking. Delaying can help to reduce the amount that you smoke, which can make a significant difference during the year.
Tell your loved ones that you want to quit smoking. By entrusting the people close to you with your plan, you give them the power to help you succeed. This could be what you need to keep going.
Keep a cold glass or bottle of ice water nearby at all times. When you get a craving for a cigarette, take a sip of water–even if this means you hardly put the bottle down at first. This gives you something to do with your hands and mouth, and it can be a useful way to prevent snacking, too.
Smoking has very strong associations with some activities, and avoiding these situations can help you stop smoking. If you often smoked in your car, then create a new driving habit like listening to a book on tape or making a motivational driving playlist. This will help you to remove the associations these habits have with smoking. You need to find a distraction, to think about something else.
It is important to realize that although cold turkey may work for one person, it may not work for you. People think that they can quit smoking on their own and only end up going back because they tried too much, too fast. You may require an aid for quitting, such as a nicotine patch.
Find an online forum for quitters. This can provide you with a great amount of support and motivation, while still allowing you to remain anonymous. Online forums can be found everywhere, and you can typically join for free. They will help you to network with individuals all over the world, and you never know what kind of great stop smoking advice you might hear.
Once you get to the point that you should be done smoking altogether, throw away any extra tobacco products. This reduces the temptation to have “just one more cigarette.” You should also get rid of any cigarette paraphernalia that could trigger cravings, including everything from a favorite lighter to ashtrays to your old butts.
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.
Master stress management. Aside from nicotine withdrawal and simple habit, a primary reason you might start smoking again is stress. If you can’t avoid all stress during the first few weeks after quitting, do whatever it takes to manage your stress in another way than having a cigarette. Get a massage or try a yoga class. Find something new and healthy to replace what you’re giving up.
Remind yourself of how gross cigarettes are. This will help you focus on quitting because you will think about how dirty they are. Avoid emptying ashtrays so you can see how much you’ve smoked and the terrible smell it leaves behind. You may also want to try filling a jar with the butts and ashes as a reminder.
Don’t turn back to smoking during a family crisis. Sometimes the most difficult times in our lives, turn into the easiest times to take a bad habit back up. While you might be tempted to do so, try to stay focused on all the reasons that you quit. Talk to a friend or family member about what you’re going through or even seek counseling if you need to. Whatever you do, don’t reach for that cigarette.
If you are thinking about quitting smoking, it is extremely important to have a plan. One of the most important parts of this plan is setting a “quit date.” This is the date when you plan to completely stop smoking. Whether you want to quit cold turkey or ease your way into it, having a specific date when you want to be done smoking will help you stay on track.
Smoking is a bad habit that many people want to kick. This article has shared some great tips and you now have some information at your disposal in your journey to quitting smoking. If you are ready to say good-bye to smoking, put these tips to good use and you can kick the habit.
