Kick The Habit With These Tips For Quitting Smoking

5/365 – I’m smoke free!


Image by Phae
I don’t feel free yet, but I’m not smoking again either.

It’s scientifically proven that cigarettes contain nicotine and that nicotine is addictive. This makes quitting smoking a very difficult thing to do. The more you know about quitting, the easier it will be for you to finally give up smoking.

Set up an incentive plan for yourself. When you reach one of your goals, reward yourself. Keep a list of possible rewards you will give yourself when you make it a day without smoking, or a week, or a month, and so on. Put the list somewhere where you will be able to see it daily. This can motivate you at times of weakness.

Don’t try doing it yourself. Gather a support group of non-smoking friends and family to help you when you are struggling. Having a support group is the single best thing you can do for yourself. Speak about your predicament and talk about some of the things that you want to change.

Consulting your doctor or a specialist can help you get the help that you need to be successful. Prescription medications may be the ticket to help you. He can also give you information about local support groups, online resources or medical professionals who can help you through it.

Don’t allow anyone to smoke in your home while you are in the process of quitting. The more inconvenient you can make smoking, the easier it will be to quit. If you have to go out in the cold or have a smoke away from the internet and the TV, you might kick the smoking habit sooner.

Controlled breathing can be an effective means of riding out those intense cravings. Breathe in through your nose for a count of ten. After you have held the breath in, exhale through the mouth and count to ten. This will cut down on the stress that comes from cravings. This will also make you realize the extent to which your respiratory system has improved.

Rest is important when quitting smoking. Staying up late can elevate fatigue, increasing cravings for a cigarette. You may get tempted to sneak a smoke since nobody is around to catch you during these hours. Eight hours of sleep each night will allow you to remain mentally focused, which keeps you in better control of nasty cravings.

To avoid cracking under the pressure of cravings and nicotine withdrawal, find healthy ways to deal with the resulting stress. Perhaps you could go to the gym during the time that your cravings are at their worst, or you could get a new hobby. Try to avoid idle time, and instead, find pleasant distractions. Reading, crafting or visiting friends all work well.

Try to develop three different strategies for kicking the smoking habit. The first technique to implement should be to quit cold turkey. You have only a five percent chance of succeeding using this method. However, you might be lucky enough to succeed on the first try. Cut back a little slower the second time. If this method fails, try harder on your third time. Discuss alternatives in prescription treatments, and join a support group.

If you would like to quit smoking, speak with your doctor. Your physician may have resources available to help you quit that you do not have access to. Your doctor is also the only one that can write you a prescription for a nicotine replacement medication.

One thing that greatly complicates kicking the smoking habit is the addictiveness of nicotine. Giving up cigarettes can seem almost impossible, both physically and mentally. Use the information found here to make things a little more manageable for yourself. With these tips and tricks, as well as your effort, you can stop smoking.