Many people have tried, and failed, to quit smoking, so there may be times when it seems as if doing so is impossible. Fortunately, this is not true. There are effective techniques that any smoker can use to give themselves a fighting chance to kick the habit for good. The following article will teach you some of these.
If you can afford to do so, try the new e-cigarettes. The “e” stands for electronic, and they are basically a nicotine-free cigarette that replicates the exact process of actually taking a smoke break. These “cigarettes” actually emit a mist that you inhale, but without the harmful side effects of nicotine.
When quitting smoking, inform your family and friends about your intentions. You will feel that you don’t want to let them down by smoking again, helping to keep you motivated. This support and responsibility can bolster your effort to quit smoking for good.
You must know why you want to stop smoking. Having shallow reasons, like it is bad for you are not good enough. To really get yourself motivated, you need a personal and powerful reason to quit. Maybe you are scared of lung cancer. Or maybe you would like to keep your family from second hand smoke. It might be because you want to both feel and look younger. Choose a strong reason that outweighs your urge to light up.
In order to succeed with your goal of quitting smoking, it’s important that you write down the benefits that are derived from quitting smoking. Some examples include living a longer life, feeling great, smelling better, saving money, etc. Lots of benefits are gained from eliminating smoking from your life. Writing them down can help to keep you motivated to succeed.
Prior to starting to quit smoking, be able to stay committed to quitting for good. By having a positive outlook, you are more likely to succeed. You can stay committed by thinking of all the reasons that you wanted to quit in the first place.
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.
Commit to quitting. Individuals who are able to successfully quit smoking commit themselves fully. They don’t have a back up plan, they don’t keep quitting a secret, and they don’t tell themselves that they will fail. If you make this type of commitment you will significantly increase your chances of successfully meeting your goal.
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.
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.
Before you quit, identify your triggers and plan ways around them. If you always smoke when you drink, abstain from alcohol for a while. If smoking before, during or after meals is a common practice for you, change up your meal plans or environments to prevent this. Track your smoking times and places to know when and where you light up, and adapt accordingly.
When cravings strike, remember that they almost always pass within 10 minutes, so do something to distract yourself. Walk to the water cooler, have a healthy snack, meditate, or call a supportive friend to keep your mind off your craving. You’ll be surprised at how quickly it’s over, and your delaying tactics can keep you from giving in.
When you are trying to quit smoking, do not attempt to do it overnight. Nicotine addiction is powerful, and it is going to take you some time to wean yourself off of it. You are much more likely to relapse if you quit cold turkey, so take it slow and get it right the first time.
You’ll be more successful in your attempt to quit smoking if you ease down on how many cigarettes you smoke per day. You can create a set schedule for when you can smoke, and how many cigarettes per day you’ll smoke, gradually letting yourself smoke fewer and fewer until a set date when you’ll completely stop.
By now you should realize that it is entirely possible to quit smoking for good, and it does not necessarily have to be terribly difficult. If you just make use of the proven techniques you have learned from this article, you can quit smoking. Make your cigarette addiction a thing of the past with these tips.
