Avoid Smoking With These Effective And Simple Tips

 Avoid Smoking With These Effective And Simple Tips

So you've decided it's time to give up that nasty smoking habit. Good for you! Making the decision to quit smoking is one of the wisest you will make in your lifetime, and probably one of the hardest. 

If you're looking for some handy hints on where to go from here, read on.

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.

Do not quit alone. Tell everyone you around on regularly that you are trying to quit smoking. They can provide support and encouragement and it can make a huge difference. You might also consider a support group or a counselor. Behavior therapy can help you come up with and stick to strategies that will help you quit smoking.

To effectively quit smoking, have a plan mapped out. Take some time to prepare yourself by writing down the steps you will take to quit, who you will call for support, and what you will do if you should slip up. Putting these things in writing makes them concrete, and it is much like making a contract with yourself. This can have a very powerful affect on your mindset, helping you to stay focused on your journey toward quitting.

Avoid triggering that make you want to smoke. Alcohol is a trigger for many, so when you are quitting, try to drink less. If coffee is your trigger, for a couple of weeks drink tea instead. If you like to smoke after eating a meal, do something else rather like taking a walk or brushing your teeth.

The best way to quit for good is to quit for the right reasons. You should not quit for the people around you. You should quit for yourself. You should make a decision that you want to live a happier, healthier lifestyle and stick to it. This is the best way to ensure success.

If you have a loved one or friend that is trying to quit smoking and want to help them, then you need to provide them with your patience, love and understanding. This is the best way to help them out. If you try to push them, you may make it harder for them to quit in the long run.

Enlist your friends and family to support you with your decision to stop smoking. Those closest to you can be a real help in keeping you on track and smoke-free. Inform everyone of your intentions to quit smoking before your quit date, and let them know specifically how they can be of best help to you.

Don't give up if you slip up. Anytime someone tries to give something up that they have been doing for years, there will likely be a struggle. When that struggle exists, slip ups often happen. If you do slip up, get right back on track and try again. The worst thing you can do is turn a slip up into an excuse to keep smoking, so don't do it.

Plan out your stress coping mechanisms as soon as you quit smoking. For smokers, the way to deal with a stressful situation is to light a cigarette. Therefore, it is essential that you develop a strategy on what to do when stress occurs. Keep a back-up plan handy in case plan A doesn't work out.

You'll be more successful in your attempt to quit smoking if you ease down on how many cigarettes you smoke per day. You can create a set schedule for when you can smoke, and how many cigarettes per day you'll smoke, gradually letting yourself smoke fewer and fewer until a set date when you'll completely stop.

Be honest with yourself about how much money you spend on smoking, and don't plan on using that money for something else. If you quit to save money for bills, your bills will just continue stressing you out while you no longer have the stress release that a good cigarette gives. Figure out what your smoking budget is, and then when you quit, continue spending that amount on yourself in a healthier way.

If you aren't afraid of the long-term health hazards of smoking, then tap into your vanity to help you stop. Did you know that smoking can cause wrinkles, yellow fingernails, and cause you to lose your teeth? It can also lead to macular degeneration, which in turn leads to blindness.

Positive thinking makes a big difference when it comes to quitting smoking. You will be able to better conquer temptations if you recognize every day without smoking, as an achievement in itself. By keeping track of small goals, you can keep your self-esteem high and hopefully, conquer that habit for good!

Consider joining a support group when you decide to stop smoking. If your schedule does not allow for regular meetings, then look for telephone help lines or ones where people can log in online. These groups will give you instant access to support, regardless of what time you need them.

If an activity becomes difficult and makes you crave a cigarette, try to step away from it. There are some activities that might just naturally make you crave a cigarette. These might include drinking a cup of coffee or hanging out in a bar with friends. If you're not strong enough to handles these activities without a cigarette, realize it and just walk away.

As was previously said, quitting smoking is not an overnight process. There is not, unfortunately, an on/off switch when it comes to this habit. But it can achieved with some patience, perseverance, and a lot of faith. One day at a time and soon you will be proudly announcing to all that you are a non-smoker.

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