Do Yourself A Favor And Quit Smoking With This Helpful Advice

Aug 24, 2012 by derekso4

With motivation and support along with helpful techniques and tricks like the ones in this article, you can be on your way to success.

Make a list of reasons that you want to quit smoking, and keep them in your wallet. Your reasons may include your family, living to see a special event, or anything you find meaningful. Whenever you have moments of weakness, pull out your list for several reminders of what you are working toward.

When you are fighting the urge to smoke, go and do some exercise. Not only will your body benefit while you are keeping fit, the physical activity can help to keep the urges at bay. Anything that can be used as a distraction while you are working through the crave is a great tool to use.

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.

To quit smoking for good, you’ll get better results by gradually weaning yourself than you would if you tried to quit cold turkey. Nearly all people that try to quit cold turkey fail as a result of nicotine withdrawal. Cut back slowly and steadily, and if the cravings are still too powerful then subsidize your efforts with medication or other tools.

It is important to realize that although cold turkey may work for one person, it may not work for you. People think that they can quit smoking on their own and only end up going back because they tried too much, too fast. You may require an aid for quitting, such as a nicotine patch.

Think specifically about how quitting smoking will improve your life. Think of all the health conditions you can worry less about. Think about how much money you can save. Think about how the whiteness of your teeth and the smell of your home will improve. Most importantly, think of how much less likely your children will be to smoke.

Don’t use weight gain as an excuse to continue smoking. While it is true that some individuals gain weight when they quit, it doesn’t mean that you will. Make healthy eating choices when you’re feeling hungry because you aren’t smoking and the weight won’t pile on. Even if you do gain a few pounds, remember that it is much healthier than continuing to smoke.

You may want to think about getting acupuncture done to quit smoking. This method involves the acupuncturist using small needles and inserting them into the pressure points in your body that control your urge to smoke. Some acupuncturists even accept insurance, as long as quitting will help a pre-existing medical condition.

Keep a variety of fresh fruits handy. When you feel the urge to have a cigarette, eat a piece of healthy fruit to help with your cravings. This is preferable to snacking on candy or other unhealthy substances. The fruit will provide a nice dose of vitamins and minerals to help replenish your system.

To get off to the best possible start, talk to your doctor about your plan to quit smoking. Your doctor can be a valuable source of information and support and can also recommend the most effective way to quit, as well as, how to deal with the negative effects of nicotine withdrawal.

You can replace your smoking habit with positive coping habits instead. This means really looking inside yourself and examining your habits. If you smoke when you are stressed out, consider how you can diffuse the negative energy instead. Some people find solace in meditative and deep breathing exercises, but you can experiment with a variety of techniques to find one that suits you.

If you’ve quit before, don’t assume that whatever you tried didn’t work. If using the patch let you go three weeks without smoking, think instead about what caused you to light up again in week four. Plan your next attempt with the knowledge and optimism that the patch can get you through three weeks, and then have a secondary plan to get through the fourth week.

In addition to quitting smoking, you should also cut back on foods and drinks that trigger nicotine cravings. For example, you will be more vulnerable to your nicotine addiction when you drink alcohol. If you regularly drink coffee when you smoke, then you should cut back on that too to reduce craving-inducing associations.

Consider seeing a therapist or life coach to help you stop smoking. Mental health professionals are usually trained to help people overcome addictions. A counselor or coach can help you figure out what’s motivating you to smoke and assist you with coming up with strategies to help you quit smoking.

It is a fact that smoking can have a very tight hold on smokers. But it is entirely possible to break free and become a successful non-smoker.

Increase your chances of success by creating a plan that includes helpful techniques and tips like the ones in the above article, and break free of smoking for good.

Nicolette Yonker is a pro concerning electronic cigarettes

Tags

Share This