Searching For Advice On Quitting Smoking? Look Below!
Many people would like to quit smoking, but they become discouraged before they even give it a chance. That said, plenty of others have succeeded at quitting. With the right mindset and a real commitment to quitting, you can use the following tips to kick your smoking habit permanently. Follow these strategies, and you will see that quitting smoking is a lot easier than you imagined.
Treat smoking cessation like kicking any other addiction: as a series of days of sobriety. Kicking your habit for good is not an overnight thing; it is a long-term process. Do not think too far ahead in time. Make efforts on a daily basis and focus on getting through each day without smoking so that this new habits becomes part of your lifestyle.
Make a list of methods you can use to help you stop smoking. Taking time to customize your personal list, is an excellent help in accomplishing your goal. Everyone has their own ways of getting things done. To get the best results, it is critical for you to identify your own strengths and weaknesses and the tactics that are most suited to them. Create your own personalized plan for quitting.
To increase your chances of being successful in your efforts to quit smoking, consider writing out a list of pros and cons of quitting. Your mind tends to take something more seriously when you write it down. Use this as a source of motivation, and build your focus on your daily challenges.
One of the best things you can do when stopping smoking is to live day-to-day. Instead of focusing on quitting forever, just focus on quitting for today. With a shorter time frame, it will be an easier mental and physical task. Once you start becoming comfortable with your commitment to stop smoking, you can start to make longer term goals.
Rest is key if you want to seriously stop smoking. Most people have more intense cigarette cravings late at night. You may get tempted to sneak a smoke since nobody is around to catch you during these hours. If you get eight hours of sleep every night, you will be able to focus better, which means you can control cravings better.
Try to snack on fruits and vegetables instead of sugary snacks when you are quitting smoking. People can gain weight when they stop smoking, so be mindful of what you put into your mouth, making these veggie snacks a great idea. Your body will likely crave food as you quit smoking, so allow yourself to snack using healthy treats to keep your mind and body in top shape.
Start an exercise routine, or join a gym, not only for the health benefits, but to keep you busy and away from cigarettes. Just getting moving will help you defeat your stress. If you are currently not in the best of shape, begin with short walks or an easy routine and build up from there. Check with your doctor before you actually begin any extensive exercise routines.
Nicotine Replacement Therapies
A good way to stop smoking is nicotine replacement therapy. Nicotine withdrawal is very trying and can exacerbate feelings of stress, depression and anxiety. Cravings can sometimes seem overwhelming. Nicotine replacement therapies may help you overcome these cravings while reducing the amount of nicotine in your body. Research proves that nicotine replacement products such as gum, patches or lozenges can double the success rate for quitting. It is very dangerous to smoke while using these products; therefore, to protect yourself avoid smoking if you are using nicotine replacement therapies.
While in the process of quitting smoking, allow yourself a reward as you reach certain milestones. For example, when you haven’t smoked for a week, go out to the movies. Once a months has past, go out for a special meal. Continue to give yourself a reward in increasing amount to acknowledge your progress until you don’t think about the urge to smoke.
You should try the delay tactic when you feel like you absolutely have to have a cigarette. If you do something else and then re-evaluate your feelings after a few minutes, you’ll find that the worst of the cravings are gone. If this does not happen right away, keep repeating this technique.
Be sure your family and friends know you’re quitting smoking. They will keep you on track and encourage you when you are feeling weak. A support system of family and friends is the best thing for you. You will find that your confidence in succeeding is increased, and your goals are attainable.
You need to find ways to have your motivation in sight at all times. For example, you could put messages on your walls or refrigerator. Regardless of your method, a visual reminder is often a compelling motivator to keep going.
Smoking is often used as an aid to getting through stressful events. If this is true, find another relaxation technique when stressed. Meditation, music and yoga are some good ideas to try. They can reduce the severity of your cravings for a cigarette and help to reduce stress.
Tell your relatives that you are quitting, so that they can provide support. It’s critical, however, that they understand that you want positive support, not reproach. You will also want to let them know you will most likely be in a lousy mood initially, and you may not exactly think clearly at that time. It’s not easy to quit smoking, and you should be sure you have your loved ones’ support during this process.
If you feel like a cigarette, exercise instead. Not only does a work out release endorphins, which improves your mood, but it is also an excellent way to take your mind off your cravings. Also, working out helps prevent weight gain that could happen when you stop smoking.
If your willpower is weakening and you are about to reach for your favorite tobacco product, pick up the phone a call somebody for support. You can call a friend or someone in your family and tell them about how tempted you feel. Not only is talking a good way to distract yourself from your cravings, you’ll also likely get the encouragement you need to recommit to quitting.
It’s very true that a lot of people are ready to stop smoking, but they just don’t know where to start. People who are able to quit usually have a battle plan and motivation to keep them on the right track. Try the tips you just read to help you form a strategy to successfully free yourself from the need to smoke.
If your true goal is to quit smoking, then master the art of quitting. Many smokers had to try several times prior successfully quitting. When you quit smoking, try to refrain from smoking for as long as possible. If you backslide and give in to a cigarette, set another date to quit. Keep quitting for extended periods of time, and you will get better at it. In time, you’ll go long enough that you don’t feel the need to smoke again.