How You Can Give Up Smoking For Good

bnsmav Aug 21, 2012 · 3 min read

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

TIP! Set up a reward system for yourself whenever you reach a particular milestone. Jot down rewards you’ll give yourself after you’ve been smoke-free for a single day, week and month.

Some people think that quitting is just disposing of their smoking implements and using willpower to combat the habit. These things can help, but quitting doesn’t need to be so difficult. There are various aids and techniques so that you can quit smoking for good.

TIP! Perhaps you’ve smoked in order to deal with your stresses. If you have done this in the past then you must find new coping techniques for these times.

The first seven days without cigarettes will be the most difficult part of quitting. Keep this in mind if you feel like you can’t get through that first week. The first forty-eight hours of quitting are when your body sheds all the nasty nicotine you have been consuming. Once that is gone, your feelings of craving will stem from psychological causes. Understanding this can make resisting the cravings less traumatic.

TIP! If you decide to stop smoking and do not want to go cold turkey, consider nicotine replacement therapy. Using these nicotine-providing OTC products in conjunction with your own personal willpower will fight off the rough symptoms of withdrawal.

Keep a big bag of suckers around. If you feel the urge coming to light one up, get a lollipop instead. The stick of this sweet treat will occupy your cigarette-flicking hand. Also, the candy can fulfill your oral craving. Keeping both your hands and your mouth occupied will help break the craving more quickly.

Nicotine Replacement

TIP! If you’re trying to quit, it’s key to think of the challenges you’ll face after quitting. Many people who quit smoking and go back to it later, do so within the first few months.

Nicotine replacement products are a great tool for quitting smoking. When you withdraw from nicotine, you may feel restless, depressed, irritable or frustrated. Cravings for a cigarette can be very powerful. Therapies like nicotine replacement therapy can be helpful. Studies show that nicotine gum, lozenges or patches can increase people’s success when quitting. Do not use the nicotine-replacement products if you are still smoking cigarettes.

TIP! The only way to quit smoking is to stop. Stopping will start you on your new path.

Search for support through online communities and forums. There are many websites that are devoted to supporting those that are looking to quit smoking. It’s helpful to talk to other ex-smokers so that you can both compare the techniques you use to help yourselves quit. Also, other quitters next to you can help you see everyone’s struggles through this journey.

TIP! If you feel like a cigarette, exercise instead. Your mood is given a positive boost by the endorphins released in your body following a workout, making physical activity an effective way to keep your mind off smoking when you want to smoke.

List the reasons why you want to stop smoking. Write down everything that you can possibly think of, no matter how big or small it is. Every time you have the temptation to smoke, consult your list to put things in perspective. It will help to reinforce your decision and remind you of the things that are truly important to you.

TIP! If you are interested in ditching your unhealthy habit, it is crucial that you are dedicated to seeing it through. Too many people try to quit on a whim and then fail when they are faced with serious obstacles.

Develop a system of daily reminders about why you want to quit as well as motivational messages to help you. Perhaps posting inspirational signs on your wall, or having a piece of jewelry that reminds you of your efforts will help. These visual aids will keep your motivation level high when cravings get bad.

TIP! Quit smoking on a daily basis. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to focus on quitting forever; just quit for today.

This article provides you with an overview of some of the most common and most effective techniques for stopping smoking. If you’ve decided to quit, you have to expect that you’ll experience some pangs and longings. However, you’ll be able to resist these feelings more easily if you carefully follow the advice provided here