There are many benefits that will result from a decision to stop smoking.
To increase your chances of being successful in your efforts to quit smoking, consider writing out a list of pros and cons of quitting. When you go through the tactile experience and physical actions of writing, your psychological perspective is often shifted in the process. Not only can you find motivation to continue your journey in this way, but your trek might become easier since you can concentrate more.
Ask your friends and loved ones to be supportive about your decision to stop smoking.It is critical that the people closest to you offer support, and you can do without them being judgmental.Let them know you might be cranky or irritable because of withdrawals, and that you may not have a clear mind. Quitting is hard, and you’re going to need support to succeed.
If you’re unable to quit cold turkey, then get some extra help via products like nicotine patches or gum.
If you absolutely must have a cigarette, using stalling tactics. To help you postpone your cigarette as long as possible, consider taking a walk or enjoying a some water before smoking. Sometimes, taking this time to let your mind think of other things will be enough to ward off thoughts of your taking a puff. If, even after the delay, you still have a cigarette, you will at least have taken up some time, meaning you will smoke less that day.
For example, if you go a whole week with no smoking, treat yourself to a movie. Once a months has past, enjoy a fancy night out at your favorite restaurant. Continue to give yourself a reward in increasing amount to acknowledge your progress until you forget about smoking and are ready to move past it completely.
If you smoke inside your living area, make sure to thoroughly clean the house, when quitting. Wash and paint your walls, shampoo or replace your carpet, drapery and curtains, walls and any other type of surface coverings. This will make your home smell clean, and a smoky smell will not greet you whenever you enter your home.
Use one of the many nicotine replacement solutions on the market today. Many feel depressed, frustrated or restless when they are withdrawing from nicotine. Nicotine cravings may at time be overwhelming. Using a nicotine replacement therapy will help you to battle against the temptation. People who use these products have twice as much likelihood of quitting for good as those who go cold turkey. Make sure not to incorporate these products simultaneously while smoking, as there can be devastating effects.
Stay away from the kind of places or things that you normally associate with smoking.
To help with the motivation factor of smoking cessation, remember your loved ones and how your smoking impacts your health and theirs. Statistics prove that one in five deaths in America alone are tied to smoking cigarettes. Do not to become a number!
As you work on quitting smoking, remember to give yourself a reward every time you hit an important milestone. For example, when you haven’t smoked for a week, go out to the movies. Once a month has passed, go out to dinner at a new restaurant. As you meet future milestones, you may wish to either increase your rewards or simply phase them out.
The first 7 days will be the hardest. The first two days without smoking is when the body tries to get rid of all the nicotine it has held onto.Once that is gone, the hard part will be mental addiction. While still difficult, it becomes easier to resist the urge to pick up a cigarette.
Now is as good a time to stop smoking.Don’t set a date in the future that hinges on something else, just make today your day to quit. Quitting today will stop you from taking another step towards a debilitating or deadly illness. You also keep your family from falling victim to secondhand smoke, which makes it even more crucial that you quit.
Reduce the number of cigarettes that you smoke. This is a good way to ease into the idea of quitting altogether. Try waiting an hour or so before having your first cigarette of the day. To cut back, try smoking 1/2 of a cigarette instead of a full one.
Even the plans that are most prepared to quit have a really difficult time succeeding at first. You may triumph next time because of what you learned this time around.
Get help from friends and family when you stop smoking.Tell the people around you that you plan on quitting. Their approval and assistance can be the key to your success.You may also think about joining a support group or trying cognitive behavioral therapy to help you quit.
The most important thing to do when you want to stop smoking is to make that initial commitment to the change. Instead of setting a deadline that you can keep pushing back, quit today. Once you stop, don’t allow yourself to begin again. This method can appear to be extremely difficult. However, this method has been shown to actually be more effective, as time goes by.
When that urge to smoke hits, pull out the list and use it for motivation to keep you going.
Deep Breathing
Stay motivated as often as possible, as this can elevate your chances to quit smoking. Some ways that you can do this include posting your reasons for quitting on the wall at work, or wearing a piece of jewelry that reminds you of why you want to quit. Whatever method you use, the visual reminders might be helpful in combating the cravings at a later time.
Deep breathing exercises may be of assistance if you get past a cigarette craving. This will provide you some time to think about the reason you quit. It can also assist in providing oxygen for your lungs, relaxing you and helping to clear your mind. Deep breathing can quickly and at any time.
Think about what challenges you may encounter soon after you first stop smoking. Many people who quit smoking and go back to it later, within a few months. It may be very tempting to have a quick cigarette when you’re stressed or tired. Make sure to understand those things that trigger your urges and temptations.
Make sure that you speak with a medical professional about different ways to stop smoking. Overall, there have been a ton of new and innovative ways to help people quit smoking. There are a lot of options available to you when you decide to quit smoking, from gum to patches to doctor-prescribed medication to help with the withdrawals. Consult with your doctor to determine the best course of action regarding treatments.
You probably know how much quitting smoking will benefit you. While knowing why you want to quit is a great start, knowing how is far more important, so remember the tips you’ve read here to help you succeed. Help disarm your cravings and strengthen your resolve with this advice. You’ll feel the positive effects of your efforts soon!