Most smokers want to quit smoking, but know how difficult it will be and fear they do not have enough will power to be successful. The information and tips contained in this article can help you take those first steps to be on your way to being smoke free.
In order to
quit smoking successfully, ask for help from the people you see most. Having the support of family, friends, and co-workers can mean the difference between success and failure. Quitting any habit is difficult, especially one like smoking that is addictive. Make sure the people around you cheer you on and do not intentionally thwart your success.
If you absolutely must have a cigarette now, try delaying it for a while. Tell yourself that you will wait 10 minutes and then find a way to distract yourself for that time period. Usually, after the 10 minutes have passed, any craving will have gone away. Otherwise, allow yourself another ten minute delay.
Find ways to keep your body and mind busy when you quit smoking. Take up walking as this will also help you get in better shape. Another great idea to keep your hands busy is to find a hobby. Learn to sew, knit or learn woodworking. You won't have time to think about cigarettes when you stay busy.
Find another way to relax. Nicotine is a relaxant, so you need to find a substitute to lessen your stress. A massage or yoga is a really great way of relaxing, or you could try a warm bath, or listening to your favorite music. Whenever possible, try to stay away from anything stressful during the initial couple of weeks when you stop smoking.
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.
Make sure you tell yourself that you are not going to smoke each and every day. As you get up in the morning, you should try telling yourself that you are not going to smoke a single cigarette. Reaffirming this goal in your mind each morning will keep you on track to successful smoking cessation.
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.
Choose the date that you will quit and write it on the calendar. After you've done this, tell your friends and family. Choosing your quit date makes your goal more specific and real so that you're more likely to take action towards it. It's harder to change your mind once you've made a commitment, and other people can help support you if they know about your quit date.
You should make sure you have an appropriate reward system in place for such a difficult task. You will want to reward yourself for at least the first three days of quitting and the first two weeks. After that, monthly milestones are worth a celebration until you hit the annual mark. You can choose your reward based on the time elapsed as well, making success that much sweeter.
Make smoking hard to do. Wait until you have finished a pack before buying another one. You should also avoid buying cartons of them at a time. This will make it harder for you to get them. It also will remind you of what an inconvenience smoking is.
When you have made up your mind that you want to quit smoking, it is important to get some support from others. Let your family, friends, and co-workers know that you are planning on giving up your smoking habit and ask for their support and encouragement. Who knows, some of them may have been successful with breaking the habit and can offer some great advice. With their help and encouragement, it can help you get through the tough days.
Once you have decided to quit smoking, start making a written list of all your motivations for quitting. Use this list as a last resort to read when you get a strong craving to smoke.
Start exercising! If you are active it can help to reduce symptoms of withdrawal and nicotine cravings. Rather than reaching for a cigarette, get off the couch and exercise, or go for a walk. This will really help to take off your mind of smoking, and is also a great way to improve your physical fitness.
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.
When quitting smoking, it's best not to immediately cut yourself off. While stopping cigarettes and having a clean break sounds great it theory, it's very rarely effective. In fact, some studies have found that only 5% of people who use the cold turkey method of quitting smoking manage to remain cigarette free.
Enlist the help of those closest to you when you decide to stop smoking. This includes family members, friends and coworkers. Tell them. If they do not know that you are attempting this very important step in your life, they will not know how to help you. Tell them to expect grouchiness, trouble sleeping and impatience. Most importantly, they can help you plan activities in smoke-free environments.
Making the commitment to quit smoking can be challenging. Quitting can really work, though. You will need to call upon your willpower, be patient and give it time. The more knowledgeable you are, the better equipped you will be to attain your goal. Using the tips in the article above will help you accomplish your goal sooner than you thought.