For whatever reason, you have decided to quit smoking, and that is one of the hardest steps to take when it is time to give it away. However, where do you go from here? There are a lot of things you need to know when you are quitting smoking, and this article will share them with you.
When you smoke, you sometimes are just obsessed with the feeling of having something in your mouth. This can be replaced with a less dangerous habit such as chewing gum or eating candy. Anytime you feel like smoking, just have a piece of hard candy or chew a stick of gum.
Write down the different ways that you want to try to quit smoking. Taking time to customize your personal list, is an excellent help in accomplishing your goal. Everyone will find the techniques that work best for them. It is important to find out which strategy is best suited for you. This is accomplished when you create your own list.
Don’t do this all by yourself. Get support from your family and friends and tell them that you are attempting to quit smoking and that you would like it if they help you accomplish that goal. Having a support group is the single best thing you can do for yourself. Simply speaking with other people who have gone through this same battle will give you added incentive to lose the habit.
Find ways to keep your body and mind busy when you quit smoking. Take up walking as this will also help you get in better shape. Another great idea to keep your hands busy is to find a hobby. Learn to sew, knit or learn woodworking. You won’t have time to think about cigarettes when you stay busy.
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.
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.
If the cigarettes you smoke after meals are some of the hardest to give up, replace the habit of smoking after eating with brushing your teeth or chewing minty gum. Slowly, you will break your old habit and build a much healthier association between finishing a meal and freshening your breath.
One way to stop smoking is to get better at quitting. Many individuals who have successfully quit did not succeed the first time they tried. Stop smoking, and plan on avoiding cigarettes for as long as possible before lighting back up. If you start again, immediately pick a new date to quit. Quit for longer and longer periods of time each time. Eventually, you will quit that final time and never go back.
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.
Don’t expect to quit smoking overnight. The day you decide to stop smoking will be the best day of your life, but there will be ramifications to your body and your emotional state for the next few weeks. However, with some patience and a one-day-at-a-time attitude, you will succeed, and you will soon be celebrating your smoke free status.
