Kicking the habit can be beneficial to your health, your social life and your wallet. So why is it so hard to do? This article has some great advice on the things you can do to finally quit for good. Keep reading to see what might help you out.
Sometimes people think they can quit smoking by switching to a product such as chewing-tobacco. This isn’t a good idea because usually chewing-tobacco contains more nicotine. You might end up just replacing one addiction for another. If you really want a product that can help you quit, try nicotine gum instead. You can slowly taper off the gum. They don’t usually sell progressively weaker versions of chewing tobacco.
Replace your pack of cigarettes with an electronic cigarette. Many former smokers have found success with these devices, which work by vaporizing a liquid that contains nicotine. When the user exhales, the cloud looks just like smoke, but it’s actually vapor. Using one of these devices can make it much easier to quit smoking, since it simulates the act so effectively.
In order to succeed with your goal of quitting smoking, it’s important that you write down the benefits that are derived from quitting smoking. Some examples include living a longer life, feeling great, smelling better, saving money, etc. Lots of benefits are gained from eliminating smoking from your life. Writing them down can help to keep you motivated to succeed.
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.
If you have a friend or loved one who is having a hard time trying to quit, then you should try sharing with them some of the painful truths about smoking. Try to be sincere and understanding as you relate this information so that they understand that you are trying to help them and that you are not trying to attack them.
Before beginning to quit, talk with your doctor about your intentions. Your doctor can advise you on the best methods to quit, and if need be, can provide you with prescription drugs to aid your quitting. Also, your doctor can be an important sounding board throughout your entire quitting experience.
Do some exercise when you feel like smoking. Your brain releases endorphins after you work out, which will improve your mood. A workout is also an excellent distraction from your cravings. Exercise is beneficial in another way as well; it can minimize the effects of metabolism changes that happen when you stop smoking, which can help keep the extra weight gain at bay that people who quit sometimes experience.
Think about how good you felt before you smoked. Focus on how healthy, happy and active you were as a smoke-free child. Think about the foods you loved, the scents you loved and how fit you were, this will give you added incentive to stop smoking.
You need the help of family and friends when you have decided to quit smoking. Let everyone know that you have decided to quit. They can support and encourage you, which can make a big difference to you. If you can’t find this support in your home environment, consider other options, such as behavioral therapy or some kind of group settings.
As you can see, it is very important that you find a way to stop smoking. Not only is it bad for your health, but the social and economic consequences can be just as dire. If you use the ideas here you can find a way to finally kick that smoking habit.
