Make a list of strategies to help you quit. Taking the time to sit down and customize your own list to your own personality, is an excellent method of quitting. Everyone will find the techniques that work best for them. Discovering what will work best for your particular circumstances is crucial. This is accomplished when you create your own list.
2. Make shorter term goals
If you want to stop smoking forever, stop thinking about forever. Don’t think about quitting forever; instead focus on today. If you take things in a shorter time frame, it is often easier to cope with the stress. Once you start becoming comfortable with your commitment to stop smoking, you can start to make longer term goals.
3. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
Many report gaining weight during or after the time that they quit smoking, so you may want to start eating those fruits and vegetables now. You will minimize your weight gain when you do this. Feed your cravings with only the healthiest foods, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
4. Start on a workout routine
Add exercise to your weekly routine to replace smoking. Smoking wreaks havoc on the body, and as you rid yourself of these ill effects, you will notice an increase in energy and better lung capacity for your workouts. As your body becomes stronger and more fit, you will be hesitant to undo all of that hard work by smoking a cigarette.
5. Seek counseling help
Counseling can help you in your mission to quit smoking. There may be an emotional reason which makes you want to smoke. If that is addressed, the need to smoke may go away. Your doctor can help direct you to a counselor.
6. Distract yourself
When you feel an urge to smoke and can’t resist, at least put it off till later. Take a long walk, do the dishes or put away the laundry before permitting yourself to smoke. You may find that diverting your attention to something else will delay and ultimately overcome that desire to smoke. If you still choose to smoke, you won’t be smoking as much because your time will be spent doing something different.
7. Stick with the plan
Once you have made the decision to stop smoking, you need to try your best to stick with the plan. Most who stop smoking for good have made several attempts in the past before they were finally successful. If you experience a setback, determine what went wrong; then pick yourself up and start again.
8. Change your outlook and attitude
People who are successful at becoming nonsmokers without using cessation products are able to do so because they change their outlook and attitude. For example, if you can see moving to a non-smoking lifestyle as a day-at-a-time change, you’ll be more successful. You can use cognitive behavioral therapy or gradual changes to your daily life to get rid of your bond with tobacco.
9. Find an alternative relaxing technique
It is very easy to use smoking as a kind of crutch during stressful situations. If you do this, it will really help to find some good relaxation techniques to use when you are feeling stress start to build up. Meditation, music and yoga are some good ideas to try. They can reduce the severity of your cravings for a cigarette and help to reduce stress.
10. Hypnosis to quit smoking
Hypnosis might be something you should try if you desire to quit smoking. Many smokers have had a good success rate with the help of a licensed hypnotist. The hypnotist puts you into a trance, giving your mind positive affirmations which stay with you. This helps to reduce the appeal of cigarettes.
11. Use nicotine replacement aids
Nicotine replacement aids are useful for anyone working to quit smoking. Such techniques have been shown to increase your likelihood of quitting by double, if used in conjunction with behavior modification. Examples of replacement therapies include nicotine patches, lozenges and gum. But you should consult your doctor, and only use these products after you stop smoking.
It is tough to stop smoking because it is easy to become addicted to the nicotine contained in cigarettes. Stopping could be difficult for people, both emotionally and physically. Use the 11 quit smoking tips found here to make things a little more manageable for yourself. With these useful tips, and your long term commitment and dedication, you can finally stop smoking, for good.
Sergio Barclay
