Even though most people are aware of the negative consequences regarding nicotine dependence, most people will find it very difficult to discontinue the habit. If you are among the masses, then this article can help. Apply all of those that you think will be most helpful when you try to stop smoking.
Stay in the present moment, and take quitting one day at a time. Quitting can be a long process. Do not think too far ahead in time. Simply worry about today and take it day by day, trying to eliminate your smoking habits in the present, as this in turn, will change the future.
Tell yourself that you have to take a walk before you can smoke, or maybe that you need to drink a glass of water first. If you still decide to smoke that cigarette, at least that was a little longer that you were able to be smoke-free.
Make sure you take quitting one day at a time. Quitting is a lengthy process. Take each day as it comes and concentrate on not smoking that day, your efforts to quit will gather into a smoke free future.
When you feel like you need to smoke, try the delay tactic. Tell yourself how you’ll feel in about 10 minutes and distract yourself. You should see the craving pass within the 10 minutes. If the craving hasn’t passed, then repeat the first step again.
Make a list of what methods you can use to make this lofty goal. Each person is unique as to how they get things and accomplishing goals. It is important for you to find out which strategy is best suited for you. Creating your own list helps you do this.
If you just cannot give up cigarettes without the cravings overwhelming you, consider helping the process along by trying replacements like nicotine patches or gum.
The first step to quit smoking is just to simply stop. Stopping is where you need to begin. Just do it, give up smoking cold turkey and never start up again. It may seem quite difficult to do it this way. It has, however, proven to be highly effective.
Treat Yourself
For instance, once a week has gone by without a cigarette, treat yourself to a movie. After one tobacco-free month, you can treat yourself to something more expensive or elegant. Continue on like this to gradually increase the rewards to work towards until you forget about smoking any more.
You can find support in the form of online forums. There are a plethora of websites devoted to helping people quit smoking. You might see that it will help to look at the ways others have quit. If you have a support system made up of others that are quitting, this will help you deal with any trouble you may have.
Motivation and a positive thinking can be very helpful in helping you quit smoking. Try to think of how much better your life is going to be after you quit. Consider the fact that your breath will not smell as bad, your breath and clothes will smell better, and your residence will no longer have a smoke odor. While many people respond to negative reinforcement, it can be an enormous benefit to consider the benefits of quitting too.
Reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke. This helps to guide you down the right place to stop smoking. Try waiting a minimum of one hour after you wake up before having your first cigarette for the day. You can also try to only smoke half of a cigarette rather than a whole one to cut down on your smoking.
Quitting may be easier if you get rid of things that remind you of smoking. Get rid of all the ashtrays and lighters in your home. Make sure you wash all of your clothes and clean your house thoroughly in order to take away the smoke smell. This helps prevent you being reminded of smoking, triggering a craving.
If you have been smoking inside your house, give it a complete scrub-down, once you decide to quit. Wash and paint your walls, including: carpeting, drapery and curtains, walls and any other type of surface coverings. Your home will smell fresh and clean, and you won’t be reminded of the desire to smoke each time you walk through your door.
Find support by joining online forms and message boards. There are hundreds of useful websites that are devoted to help people stop smoking. It could be helpful to compare your techniques for quitting strategies and coping mechanisms with other people.
There are many counselors who offer services to help you quit smoking. Sometimes, there are emotional reasons as to why a person smokes. Once you deal with the issue, urges to smoke may become less frequent. Ask your doctor to refer you to a counselor if you’re interested in this kind of help.
Stay away from the kind of places or things that you normally associate with smoking.
Secondhand Smoke
One of the most important techniques to develop when stopping smoking is motivation. You should make a thorough list of the reasons why you want to stop, as well as the benefits for stopping smoking. Check that list every time you have a craving and remember why you quit. It’s a highly effective motivational technique!
Now is as good a time to stop smoking.Don’t set a quitting date for sometime in the future, stop now! Quitting can reduce the risk of you from taking another step towards a possibly fatal illness. Quitting also prevent those around you from inhaling secondhand smoke, as they are likely being exposed to dangerous secondhand smoke.
Exercising after quitting smoking will be easier, so start a regular exercise routine as soon as you stop smoking. Regular activity will also ensure that you stave off any potential weight gain. The natural endorphins released during exercising can fulfill your nicotine cravings to a certain extent.
Once you make the decision to kick the smoking habit, you cannot allow yourself to fail. Most former smokers needed several tries before a quit attempt finally succeeded. If you don’t succeed, analyze why you failed and then try again.
Using these suggestions should provide you with an excellent start to eliminating cigarettes from your life. Your life and your health are certainly worth the effort. You owe it to your physical and mental health to quit. Your reward will be increased health and a feeling of well being after you stop smoking cigarettes.