Quitting smoking is often seen as simply a matter of going cold turkey and tossing your cigarettes in the trash. These things can help, but quitting doesn't need to be so difficult. There are a lot of methods and things that can help you to successfully stop smoking.
Motivation and a positive attitude are key points when you are trying to stop smoking. Try to imagine how good your life is going to be after you quit. Consider that your teeth are going to be brighter and cleaner, your breath and clothes will smell better, and your home is going to be full of freshness and cleanliness. Even though when people know the bad things about smoking they may get scared enough to quit, going over positive changes can help too.
Plan on at least three attempts to succeed at quitting. Pick a day to quit the first time and just go cold turkey. You'll only have a one in 20 chance of quitting on the first try, but it's worth the attempt. The second time around, try to gradually decrease your smoking. If that doesn't work, just go into your third attempt gung ho! Consult with your physician about prescription medicines and put together a support team.
Make sure that you speak with a medical professional about different ways to stop smoking. Smoking cessation technology has advanced considerably in the past 10 years. There are also multiple treatment options to help you along the way, including prescription medications, nicotine replacement therapy and homeopathic remedies. Have a chat with your doctor about your smoking habit and see what techniques they recommend for quitting.
Take things day by day. Take one day at a time when quitting smoking. You will often find it easier from a psychological standpoint to accomplish things on a shorter timeline. Once you are committed to short term quitting, thinking about the long term will be easier.
Don't try doing it yourself. Inform your family and friends of your plan to quit, and accept their love, encouragement, and support as you fight your battle. An outside support group of former smokers can also help. Your peers will know exactly what you're going through and be able to offer assistance and advice.
Try giving yourself rewards when you reach important milestones. Plan out those rewards well in advance. Write a list of gifts to give yourself for reaching every milestone. Put that list in a visual location so that you will see it every day. It will give a little boost to your resolve when you begin to weaken.
Have a plan for effective stress management to counteract the effects of nicotine withdrawal. Try the gym. Consider developing a new hobby. What about getting a massage? Try to avoid idle time, and instead, find pleasant distractions. Reading, crafting or visiting friends all work well.
Would nicotine replacement therapy work for you? Nicotine delivery methods include gum and patches and both can effectively prevent nicotine withdrawals associated with the first several days of quitting smoking. Then, once you have kicked your cigarette habit, you can begin to wean yourself from the nicotine.
Try using deep breathing exercises when you feel a craving for a smoke. Take in a deep breath through your nose; count to ten while inhaling. Briefly hold the breath and then exhale through the mouth as you count to ten again. This will focus you on your goals and help to reduce your stress, too. Not only does this technique calm you down, but it increases your awareness of how well your respiratory system recovers each day that you do not smoke.
If you are craving a cigarette, try deep breathing. This relaxing task can allow you to focus on your feelings and remind yourself of your reasons for quitting. It will also push oxygen into your lungs, which can cause you to feel refreshed. Deep breathing is simple and non-intrusive, making it a simple and portable way to calm down.
When you stop smoking, spend your cigarette money on bottled water. Not only will you stay hydrated as you quit your smoking habit, you'll be able to satisfy the need to put something in your mouth. Staying hydrated also makes your body more capable of flushing out toxins from within. Once your cravings no longer surface, allow the money you would otherwise spend on bottled water to become the reward for your quitting.
Psychologically train yourself to handle any type of stressful situation that might come about. When faced with stress, many smokers light up as if on autopilot. If you've laid out a plan, it is easier to stay away from cigarettes. Come up with several alternatives for stress relief so that you can try different things if the first thing on your list doesn't eliminate the desire to smoke.
Being a non-smoker has many benefits, but you already know this. However, benefits alone will not compel most people to quit smoking. Apply all of them that are appropriate to your situation to keep your motivation up and beat those intense cravings. You will soon experience for yourself the benefits of not smoking.