The decision to stop smoking can be one of the best choices that you can make for your health and your life. So it makes sense to put everything into it when you decide to quit to ensure success. Think of the things that motivate you, find a support system, and use tips like the ones in this article to create a plan that is sure to succeed.
If you’re trying to quit smoking, try quitting cold turkey. This method is the easiest in the long run. While this may seem a lot more difficult when you are starting out, it is much easier than stringing your self along. Be honest with your self and commit to the quit and you will be off cigarettes fairly easily.
Your doctor may be able to help you quit smoking if you can’t do it by yourself. A variety of medications are available to make the quitting process easier, from anti-depressants to medications that make smoking less desirable. Your doctor can also steer you to support groups, programs and other resources to help you.
When attempting to quit smoking, reward yourself for every milestone that you pass. You can go to a movie or buy something that you wanted, after not smoking for a period of time. When you go an entire month, go to a fancy restaurant you don’t normally go to. After that, continue to reward yourself once in awhile until smoking is no longer on your mind at all.
When quitting smoking, you must learn to manage your stress. Once smoking is no longer an option, turn to healthier outlets such as massage therapy, long walks in your favorite park, listening to relaxing music, or meditation. Find something you can do that provides near-instant gratification so that you’ll be less tempted to turn to smoking when things get tough.
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.
Clean your house. Get rid of all of you lighters and ashtrays once you have smoked the last cigarette. Wash all of your clothes that smell like smoke and clean your draperies, upholstery and carpet. Do all you can to get the smoke smell out of your house. You will not want to look at or smell the things that remind you of smoking.
You need to be clear and committed at every stage of the quitting process. That means setting a firm date at which you want to be done smoking altogether. Use that date to determine smaller goals like when you want to cut back more, and stick to every date without exception.
Have alternate coping mechanisms in place to deal with the stress that you used handle by smoking before you attempt to quit. Avoid as many stressful situations as possible in the early stages of your attempt to quit. Soothing music, yoga and massage can help you deal with any stress you do encounter.
Choose a date to quit and stick to it. Make a big deal out of this date. Write it down on your calendar, even consider having some sort of ceremony to mark the date for yourself. You need to instill this date in your head — the importance of it — so you can use it as a driver to stay on task for the long run.
You probably know a lot of the great benefits that your decision to smoking will bring. Keep those in mind to motivate you, and don’t forget to keep the tips from the above article in mind when you feel your resolve slipping, or when you have a craving to smoke. Take it one day at a time and you will soon be a non-smoker.
