Everyone now understands the health risks resulting from smoking, but it is still very difficult to stop smoking.If you desire to stop smoking, you may just need a nudge in the right direction. The following tips here could provide some help make it easier to stop smoking.
One way to boost your success with quitting smoking, is building a list good and bad associations with quitting. By writing these things down, you begin to control the direction of your outlook on quitting. Not only can you find motivation to continue your journey in this way, but your trek might become easier since you can concentrate more.
These people can offer tips, support, and advice on how to stop. Support groups can be found at recreational centers, recreational center, or churches locally.
Let your family and friends know if you want to stop smoking. When you let people know your plans, they can do things to help you stay motivated and keep temptation away. This might just be the extra motivation you need to stay on track with your quitting plan.
Quit smoking one step at a time. Quitting can be a lengthy process. Do not worry about how you are going to cope until next month, or the year after. Just focus on today, as quitting now will help you in the future.
Make a list and itemize all the methods you can use to quit. Everyone has their goals. It is important to understand what your best options are. Making a list for yourself of your own methods will accomplish this.
By telling yourself to wait 10 minutes, you will usually avoid the craving. If the craving hasn’t passed, continuing using this tactic until it finally works.
When you feel like you need to smoke, try the delay tactic. By telling yourself that you’ll see how you feel in 10 minutes, and then distracting your mind and body during that time, you will normally find that 10 minutes later, the craving will have passed. If you still feel the urge, repeat the process! Tell yourself you’ll wait five to ten minutes before smoking.
Ask your family members to get on board with your decision to quit smoking. You have to talk to people and let them know what you’re going through, not their judgment. Let them know that you’ll be moody at the beginning, you will probably not be in the best of moods and that your thought processes may be off. Quitting smoking can be very difficult, but if you have the support of your friends and family you’ll be able to make it through a little easier.
Talk to your doctor if he can help you quit. A physician may know about methods for quitting that you do not.
If you’re unable to quit cold turkey, use nicotine patches or gum. These products give your body nicotine without the need to use cigarettes, helping you avoid withdrawal symptoms while breaking the actual habit of smoking.
For instance, if you go a whole week with no smoking, take yourself out to a movie. After you make it a month, eat out at a nice restaurant that you don’t regularly dine at. Continue on like this to gradually increase the rewards to the point you forget about smoking and are ready to move past it completely.
Most people are not going to be successful at quitting on the first and second times. When you decide to quit smoking, try to remain smoke-free for the longest period of time that you possibly can. If you do fail and have a cigarette, you must immediately set a new quit date. Each time, learn what went wrong and strive to quit for longer the next time.
Discuss your wish to quit smoking with your doctor. Your physician may have resources available to help you quit that you do not have access to. Once you have talked about your situation, the doctor may prescribe a drug to help you overcome nicotine addiction.
Put that list in a visual location so that you will be able to see it every day. This can motivate you strength during moments of weakness.
Stay away from trigger activities or things that you normally associate with smoking.
Do not attempt this by yourself. Gather a support group of non-smoking friends and family to help you when you are struggling. Joining a support group will also boost your chances of succeeding. Just talking with others that are on the same journey as you can give you more inspiration and strength to finally quit.
If you find your willpower fading and you are on the verge of reaching for a cigarette, pick up the phone a call somebody for support. Not only will the time spent on the phone be a good distraction until the craving has passed, it’s nice to know someone cares and can help you tackle the issue with someone else’s assistance.
If you end up struggling, you can refer back to this list for help.
Do not crack under stress or pressure: find another way to deal with your stress. Get some exercise when cravings hit, engage in a hobby or teach your partner to give a great massage. If you have leisure time, distract yourself with hobbies you enjoy and people you love.
Deep Breathing
Try deep breathing techniques to calm your cravings for a cigarette. This will provide you a chance to focus on all those reasons you quit in the first place. It will also push oxygen into your lungs, relaxing you and helping to clear your mind. Deep breathing can quickly and at any time.
The most important thing to do when you want to stop smoking is to make that initial commitment to the change. The most effective way to quit is just stop. Make the decision to stop and don’t allow yourself to start again. This method may appear somewhat harsh. It has been shown that this method can be quite effective.
Eliminating a smoking habit entirely can often be a difficult task but with a little advice, that task might become a bit easier. By following the tips here, you should find it easier to gain a foothold and move towards quitting smoking for good. Apply what you learned in this article to maintain your health.