Smoking is a terrible habit that leads to health problems and even death. Quit smoking early to be a good role model for your children and live a longer, more fulfilling life. Read the helpful tips in the following article for some great ideas on how to quit smoking.
Help the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. If you decide not to use a product that contains nicotine, such as a patch, gum or lozenges, think about asking your doctor about a prescription medication. Certain pills can help to reduce cravings by affecting the chemicals that your brain produces, lessening the symptoms. There are also certain medications that will make a cigarette taste nasty if you decide to smoke.
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.
Don’t Go Cold Turkey
Do not quit cold turkey. It can be tempting to throw out your cigarettes and say, “I quit!” But cold turkey is not the way you want to go. Studies show that over ninety percent of people who try to quit smoking with no medication or therapy end up relapsing. The reason for this is because nicotine is addictive and your brain craves it. Without it, nicotine withdrawal symptoms set in.
When you are first trying to quit smoking, try to avoid places that you associate with smoking. This might mean staying away from your favorite bar or the smoking spot at work. Staying away from these places also means staying away from temptation, which can be a very important thing to do when you are first trying to quit.
Commit yourself totally to your decision to quit smoking. If you are determined to quit smoking then put your whole soul into the effort. Announce to family and close friends that you are quitting and need support. Write down your specific goals and make them as detailed as you can. Also write down your individual reasons for quitting. Post both lists where you can easily see them – like the bathroom mirror. Join a support group and attend meetings, whether online or in person. Go all in and make this happen.
Do not attempt this by yourself. Seek encouragement from family and friends and make them aware that you’re trying to stop smoking and ask them to help you out. Also, try to reach out to a support group for advice and counseling. Simply speaking with other people who have gone through this same battle will give you added incentive to lose the habit.
Believe it or not, exercise can be the key you need to quitting smoking. Usually, many people smoke because they feel overwhelmed or stressed out. When they feel stressed, they turn to cigarettes for support. Cigarettes can be replaced by exercise. Also, exercise is good for a person’s overall health.
It is okay to use a nicotine replacement during the beginning stage of your smoking cessation program. Nicotine is highly addictive, and the withdrawal symptoms can be extremely unpleasant. Nicotine gum or lozenges can prevent you from feeling short-tempered, moody and irritable and can be the difference between success and failure.
As stated in the beginning of the article, smoking cigarettes is a terrible habit that leads to many health problems. There are many reasons to quit this habit from saving money to living a healthier life. Use the helpful advice in the article above to help you quit smoking.
