For whatever reason, you have decided to quit smoking, and that is one of the hardest steps to take when it is time to give it away. However, where do you go from here? There are a lot of things you need to know when you are quitting smoking, and this article will share them with you.
If you have decided to stop smoking, mentally prepare yourself for what's ahead. Try to focus on the fact that you can stop, and that this is not an impossible dream. Set an official "quit date" and even consider adding it to your calendar. By taking such a positive approach, your chances of quitting will increase.
Deal with nicotine withdrawal. Once you quit smoking, nicotine withdrawal can make you anxious, frustrated, or depressed. It's all too easy to revert to your old habit. Nicotine replacement therapy can really help to relieve these symptoms. Whether it's in the form of gum, a patch, or a lozenge, using one of these will probably double your chances of succeeding.
Before you begin the process of quitting your nicotine habit for good, take the time to make a specific plan of action. Merely thinking that you can muster up the willpower when needed is a poor way to approach this very addictive habit. Write down a list of things that you will do instead of reaching for that cigarette. This can include going for a walk, calling a friend, making a fresh fruit smoothie, or any number of diversions.
Have a friend or family member quit who smokes quit at the same time as you. Just like other things in life, such as losing weight, quitting is easier when someone else knows where you are coming from. The two of you can share tips or just vent to each other.
To improve your odds of quitting smoking for good, don't combine your effort to quit with another goal, particularly weight loss. You already have enough stress and cravings to deal with just trying to quit smoking. If you try to wean yourself from something else at the same time, you are likely to fail at both.
Help yourself stop smoking by only allowing yourself to smoke a certain amount of cigarettes a day. You can do this by deciding the day before how many you will have the next day. This will keep you from going over that set amount every day and cut back on smoking.
Looking at a picture of smoker's lungs may be all you need to quit smoking. When a person smokes, their lungs turn black after a while and they could end up with lung cancer. As harsh as it may seem, viewing the picture may set off a signal in your brain to quit.
When you are trying to quit smoking, sometimes you have to change other habits which trigger your desire for a puff. Instead of that cup of coffee or that alcoholic drink, have a glass of juice or water. Many people still have an urge to have a smoke after finishing a meal. After a meal, take a walk. Not only will it help take your mind off having a smoke, it will also help keep off the weight that is commonly associated with giving up smoking.
Now is the time to stop smoking. Don't choose a date for the future, stop now! You can reduce the risk of smoking-related death by quitting smoking, as soon as possible. Remember that your quitting will also reduce your family's exposure to harmful secondhand smoke.
You'll be more successful in your attempt to quit smoking if you ease down on how many cigarettes you smoke per day. You can create a set schedule for when you can smoke, and how many cigarettes per day you'll smoke, gradually letting yourself smoke fewer and fewer until a set date when you'll completely stop.
Use nicotine replacement therapies to help you quit smoking. The nicotine addiction associated with long-term smoking is strong. You are likely to get irritable, restless and depressed if you stop your intake of nicotine suddenly. Using a patch or gum or lozenges containing nicotine can help you to wean yourself off gradually.
If you find your willpower fading and you are on the verge of reaching for a cigarette, call someone for support. The person can be a friend, family member or even a coworker. Just make sure that it's someone who will listen to your feelings and respond honestly. The time you take to make the call will offer you a distraction, and it's also a great motivator knowing you have someone that you can confide and trust in.
If you do not want to use nicotine replacement therapy to help you quit smoking, consider asking your doctor for a prescription. There are medications that can alter your brain chemistry and reduce your nicotine cravings. Taking one of these prescriptions may be just the aid you need to get you over the hump.
If you discover that gradually quitting your smoking isn't working for you, then try completely quitting altogether. Lots of smokers discover that the only method they can quit for good is immediately stopping their smoking. You must find the method that works best for you, whether that's gradually quitting or immediately quitting.
Keep a stopwatch handy when you quit. A craving might mentally feel like it lasts for hours, but in fact the physical feeling passes in less than three minutes. Keep a timer handy and set it for five minutes when you first feel the craving. Once these minutes pass, you know you're in the clear.
Don't expect to quit smoking overnight. The day you decide to stop smoking will be the best day of your life, but there will be ramifications to your body and your emotional state for the next few weeks. However, with some patience and a one-day-at-a-time attitude, you will succeed, and you will soon be celebrating your smoke free status.
Orignal From: Effective Solutions To Curb Your Urge To Smoke
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