Smokers know they shouldn’t smoke. Have you ever heard a smoker say how healthy they thought their habit was? People who have never smoked don’t understand how difficult it will be to quit, only ex-smokers do. The following advice will help you out.
Remember that smoking cessation is really all about replacing one behavior with another. For most people, it is primarily the physical act of smoking that is the major draw. It signifies “me time” and a break from a hectic schedule or a boring job. Choose ahead of time exactly what behavior you will replace those smoking minutes with, and then do it!
Though aversion therapies have gotten a bad rap recently, they do sometimes work in helping you to stop smoking. They do not need to be extravagant methods and you don’t need to pay a therapist to employ aversion techniques. Try the simple things, such as permeating your favorite sweater with the smoke from that last cigarette you smoke. Then reach for it after not smoking for a day or two; you will be appalled at the offensive odor that you have been subjecting yourself and others to on a daily basis.
Make sure you treat yourself as if you are a smoking addict. Never let yourself take a single puff. This one puff may seem harmless, but it can actually reignite your inner need for cigarettes. No matter how long you have remained smoke free, you should keep yourself from ever taking “just” a casual puff.
Always keep in mind that there is only one outcome from taking another puff of a cigarette. That outcome is smoking again at the level that you were at, until the habit cripples you and you are in the hospital dying. This is a scary truth that will help you stay on track.
When you’re ready to quit smoking, don’t be afraid to seek the advice of a physician. A doctor can guide you in many ways on how to quit, whether it’s recommending a nicotine replacement product, or outlining an exercise plan, or even just offering authoritative words of encouragement and support.
Find support by joining online forums or communities for those who are trying to quit. There are quite a few websites entirely focused on helping smokers give up their habit. Learn what approaches have worked well for others; it may help to model your own after these methods. Furthermore, other quitters will be poised to offer guidance as you all face the same challenges and hurdles.
Avoid situations where you may be strongly tempted to smoke, especially places where alcohol is served. If you find yourself at a party, or bar, or similar place, it may be very tough to keep your determination not to smoke. If you drink alcohol, which lowers inhibitions, it will be much more difficult as well.
The first week is always the hardest when you stop smoking. For the first two days after quitting, your body rids itself of the highly addictive nicotine, leading to physical withdrawal. From that point on, you will mostly suffer from psychological cravings. These symptoms aren’t easy to deal with, but are nowhere near as bad as the initial nicotine withdrawal.
Avoid carrying your cigarettes around with you. This makes them harder to get to and you will be able to cut back on smoking by doing this. When they are an inconvenience to get to, you won’t smoke them as often. This will eventually help you quit smoking for good.
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.
Be sure that when you’re trying to quit smoking that you try to limit beverages that make you crave tobacco. For some people this means cutting back on coffee or alcohol. If you consume these drinks you might feel urges to smoke, especially with alcohol. Stay away from these things or limit your intake for a while if you’re quitting smoking.
Be honest with yourself about how much money you spend on smoking, and don’t plan on using that money for something else. If you quit to save money for bills, your bills will just continue stressing you out while you no longer have the stress release that a good cigarette gives. Figure out what your smoking budget is, and then when you quit, continue spending that amount on yourself in a healthier way.
Try deep breathing techniques if you want a cigarette. Taking deep breaths will also allow you to remember your reasons for quitting. The increased oxygenation can also leave you feeling rejuvenated. Deep breathing techniques are simple to do and can be done at any time.
If you decide to use a specific, dedicate program to help you stop smoking, remember that the more intense ones will have a much higher chance of success. This is not something that you can approach with a half-hearted effort. Counseling sessions or group therapy should be consistent, lasting at least 30 minutes and over a period of two weeks minimum.
Do not try to quit alone. Let your friends and family know when and why you are quitting. Ask them to help support you in your efforts. Have a friend that you can call whenever you feel the urge for a cigarette. The benefits of a support system to a successful quitting process are incalculable.
To quit smoking, you may want to think about going through hypnotherapy. During a session, the therapist will put you into a relaxing, dreamlike state and tell you not to smoke. Also, he or she may repeat certain reasons for you to quit so that you have this in your head when you wake up.
Non-smokers simply can’t understand why you might still want to smoke when the all the health costs are calculated. Those who are not addicted to nicotine will also never realize how hard it is to give up. This article pulls from the techniques that have worked for other smokers. Let their successful struggle help you to succeed in your own efforts to quit.
Read more: Solid Advice When Trying To Quit Smoking