People all over the world smoke, and people all over the world want to learn how to quit smoking as well. If you are one of the many but haven’t yet then you can take charge and lead the way towards quitting smoking and set an example for everyone to follow.
If you are looking for a chemical aid to quit smoking, then be very careful about this approach. Drugs such as Chantix have a relatively weak success rate and can have the potential to cause severe damage to your body. It works by altering your brain chemistry, and can lead to severe depression and suicidal tendencies.
When you have a smoking urge, try the delay tactic. By reminding yourself that you will revisit your feelings in ten minutes, and keeping yourself occupied while those minutes pass, you may find that your craving has vanished within that period of time. If it hasn’t, then just keep repeating this process over and over as often as you need to.
Be cognizant of routine activities that trigger the desire to have a smoke. For some, it is the first cup of coffee in the morning. For others it may be the end of a meal, or socializing with smoking friends. Whatever your trigger may be, this is the time you must remind yourself that you are quitting because you care enough about yourself that you want to.
Commit to quitting. Individuals who are able to successfully quit smoking commit themselves fully. They don’t have a back up plan, they don’t keep quitting a secret, and they don’t tell themselves that they will fail. If you make this type of commitment you will significantly increase your chances of successfully meeting your goal.
When you’re ready to quit smoking, and have a plan in place to do so, set a firm date after which you won’t smoke anymore. Prepare for the date, and make a big deal out of it. Think of it as the day when you regain control of your life, and make it a joyous occasion.
As bad as your urge is, it is not okay to take even one little puff. People who are trying to quit smoking believe that it will not harm them to have one puff of a cigarette. The problem is, this one puff leads to one whole cigarette, and then to one whole pack.
Find a method to remind yourself of your motivation at all times. This could mean placing motivational messages on office walls, or even wearing bracelets that remind you of your intentions. This can curb your temptations, which are the primary culprits for smoking cigarettes.
Master stress management. Aside from nicotine withdrawal and simple habit, a primary reason you might start smoking again is stress. If you can’t avoid all stress during the first few weeks after quitting, do whatever it takes to manage your stress in another way than having a cigarette. Get a massage or try a yoga class. Find something new and healthy to replace what you’re giving up.
As a smoker, smoking was probably your primary coping mechanism during periods of high stress. If so, then before you can quit smoking, you’ll need another activity to replace smoking during times of stress. Meditation, music and yoga are some good ideas to try. They can reduce the severity of your cravings for a cigarette and help to reduce stress.
Smoking is something that just isn’t good for anyone, and it can not only harm you it can harm other people as well. So make the world a healthier place by promoting ways people and not only you can quit smoking and help set a good example that everyone can appreciate.
