In order to be successful in your efforts to quit smoking, you have to have the proper motivation. If you quit smoking, the benefits are myriad. All it takes is a few good reasons to convince you that your efforts will be worthwhile. Your health will improve, as well as the health of your family. Not to mention the money that will be saved and the vitality you will exude. Keep reading for very valuable advice on where to start with your efforts to quit smoking, and how to stay smoke free forever.
If you are trying to quit smoking all together then you need to commit and stop carrying your cigarettes around with you. If you do not have cigarettes with you then you make it less convenient to smoke. This will make it easier for you to quit in the long run.
If you’re trying to quit smoking, stopping “cold turkey” is a bad idea. Quitting without a means of support for nicotine withdrawal is an uphill battle. Because nicotine is addictive, it’s very easy to relapse without some form of support when quitting. It’s best to use smoking cessation medicine, or some type of therapy when you’re ready to quit.
Make sure you do not feel as if you have to give up any aspect of your life because you are quitting smoking. Anything that you do you can still do as an ex-smoker. Who knows, you may even be able to do your favorite things a little bit better.
If you are worried about gaining weight as you begin to quit, then you should try to incorporate a moderate exercise regimen into your daily routine to help curb any weight gain that you might experience. Exercise is the best way to prevent any weight gain from your quitting.
See your doctor and ask him to recommend a stop smoking program or medication. Only five percent of people who attempt to stop cold turkey, with no help, succeed in their attempt to quit smoking. You need help to overcome the cravings and withdrawal symptoms that accompany any attempt to quit.
Take the time to really sit down and think about how quitting smoking will improve your life. This is especially effective if you already have serious health conditions that smoking can exacerbate, like asthma or diabetes. If your family has a predisposition for cancer, then it can also be very powerful for you to acknowledge that quitting now could actually save your life.
Make a list of healthy things you can do to relieve stress, anxiety or frustration. For many people, smoking is a way to relieve stress. Your list can help you find a better, healthier way of coping with negative feelings so that you won’t be as tempted to smoke when you’re having a bad day.
To fully prepare yourself with the struggles of quitting, know exactly what to expect before you start. Know how soon you can expect symptoms of nicotine withdrawal to kick in, and know all of the possible symptoms you could experience. This will also help you to anticipate your strongest cravings and most likely pitfalls.
Increasing the amount of exercise you do can help you quit smoking. Exercise not only distracts you from smoking, but it also helps to reverse all the damage you have done to your body over the years by smoking cigarettes. Start slowly if you have to, and gradually increase the amount of exercise you do each day.
If you want to succeed at quitting smoking, you will have to stick to your plan, even when it becomes difficult. When you think of all the things you have to gain or lose by your smoking choices, the decisions should be clear. Use the tips you read above to full advantage, and you are certain to finally kick the habit, for good this time.
