Stop Smoking With These Tips And Tricks

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

Everyone who cares about you tells you to stop smoking. Your physician encourages you that you do the same. Even insurance companies will reduce your deductible when you quit. So, why are you still smoking? Time to stop and use these tips to quit the habit without another thought.

Swap your smoking habit for an exercise routine. After a few weeks of quitting smoking and starting to exercise, you will notice a drastic increase in your energy and you will have a more positive outlook towards life. The more benefits you see from quitting, the less likely you will be to smoke again.

To quit smoking for good, quit as many times as it takes. Many ex-smokers took several tries before they were successful. Just set your goal for one day, and then work on the next day once you get there. If you do experience a setback, set a quit date and get back on track. Each time, make sure to extend the period between cigarettes an additional week. After a while, you should be able to quit for the very last time.

If you don’t want to use drugs to help you quit smoking, then consider alternative therapies like acupuncture. A skilled acupuncturist can help reduce or eliminate cravings by inserting fine needles into strategic places on your body. It may seem a little extreme, but the pain is miniscule.

Make a list of all of the reasons you would like to quit smoking. Make this list all inclusive, from the smallest reasons to the largest. The next time you think about lighting up, consult your list. It will help to reinforce your decision and remind you of the things that are truly important to you.

Set up a reward system for yourself whenever you reach a particular milestone. Note some goodies that you will let yourself have when you have quit smoking for a month, a week or just a day. Post the list where you’ll see it on a regular basis. You might be surprised by how much these rewards can motivate you to overcome obstacles.

Is smoking more attractive to you in times of stress? If this situation sounds familiar, you will be wise to actively seek another outlet. Consider yoga or meditation because this will decrease your stress better than smoking does.

If you reach a milestone while quitting, congratulate or reward yourself for your accomplishments. For instance, go to a movie after one week that you don’t smoke. Once you’ve passed that month long milestone, enjoy a fancy night out at your favorite restaurant. Build up the rewards until you are completely free of cigarettes.

Create a mantra which details why you’re quitting. When cravings arise, repeat your reasons for quitting to yourself until the intensity of the craving lessens. This represents a terrific method of diverting your focus away from nicotine withdrawal symptoms and onto other critical things in your life.

Prior to giving up smoking, come up with a list of why you desire to quit, and what motivations you have for throwing out the cigarettes. There are no positive reasons to continue to smoke, and you will find that the benefits of quitting far outweigh any pleasure that you derive from smoking.

If you are gradually cutting out cigarettes to become smoke-free, then don’t allow any smoking in your home. Kicking the smoking habit is quite a lot simpler if you need to go out of your way to smoke a cigarette. Relocating to the outdoors, and away from your TV or computer, can help you cut back more quickly.

You should try to quit in three attempts. On the first day, attempt to quit cold turkey. While only 5 percent of people succeed at going cold turkey, you could be one of the lucky few. When you try for the second time, gradually reduce the amount you smoke over time. If it still doesn’t work, go all out. Ask your doctor if there are medications you can take, or join a support group.

One helpful way to start quitting is to switch to a different brand of cigarettes. By switching to a brand you don’t like the taste of, you may not want a cigarette as often as before. Do not smoke a greater number of them than usual or modify the way in which you inhale them. You will be less likely to smoke if you don’t enjoy it as much.

Now you’re ready, and have the knowledge to stop smoking forever. Quitting smoking will make you happier, healthier, and it will help extend your life. Use all that money you will save by not buying cigarettes and do something nice for yourself or somebody you love who supported you through the trials and tribulations of the quitting process!