Tips on Stopping Smoking

Incorporating tips on stopping smoking into your life may greatly improve your chances of finally kicking the habit. It is possible for you to stop smoking; you just need some help and support through your withdrawal symptoms. In this article, you will learn some of the best ways to help you say goodbye to cigarettes forever.

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Nicotine is an addictive drug, and this means you have to deal with physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms when you decide to stop smoking. The following tips on stopping smoking will help both the physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms you may experience.

• Decide how you want to quit: You can either cut back on the amount of cigarettes gradually or quit cold turkey.
• Choose a start date: Decide on the day you will stop smoking. Proclaiming a quitting day will help you prepare yourself mentally and help you psyche yourself up for the big day.
• Make it inconvenient: Only buy one pack at a time so you have to go back to the store to purchase more. Make it even more inconvenient by only allowing yourself to smoke in certain places that involve you going out of your way.
• Identify your triggers: When are you most likely to light up? For example, you may smoke more when stressed or when you drink coffee or alcohol. Identify all the triggers that make you crave a cigarette.
• Avoid those triggers: Don't drink coffee or alcohol if it makes you crave a cigarette. If you can't cut these things out, choose to get your coffee somewhere you can't smoke.
• Replace the action of smoking: Instead of lighting up while reading the paper, have a cup of tea or some other beverage to sip. You can trick your brain when you replace the smoking action with some other action.
• Tell your friends and family: Tell everyone that you have decided to stop smoking, especially people you used to hang out with to smoke. Let them know that you may not be able to be around them for a while until you get your cravings under control.
• Read about it: Research all about nicotine and other toxins you are putting into your body. It may be enough to turn you off from having another smoke.
• Give your mouth something to do: Have gum and candy handy when you have a craving because sometimes just giving your mouth something to do is enough to satisfy you mentally.
• Relaxation techniques: Many people smoke when they are stressed or anxious. Try to calm yourself down without lighting up a cigarette. Try taking in deep breathes just as you would when smoking. You can also try visual imagery of being in a peaceful place. Counting down from ten is another effective relaxation technique. Other ways to keep you from feeling stressed are sleeping and eating well.
• Keep yourself busy: When you feel yourself craving, get up and do something to get your mind off it.
• Give yourself permission to be irritable: You might feel irritable during your withdrawal period; allow yourself be that way and just blame your quitting. You won't have many chances in life to get a free pass for being grouchy, so enjoy it while you can.
• Reward yourself: Think about all the money you will save not having to buy cartons or packs of cigarettes anymore. Reward yourself by buying something. You can either reward yourself each day or set a date as a goal for not smoking.
• Change your lifestyle: Making a commitment to live a healthier lifestyle beyond quitting can help you feel better about yourself and keep you motivated.
• Avoid certain situations: Parties and casinos are two places many people smoke; don't tempt yourself by going to these places during the withdrawal phase.
• Try hypnosis: Hypnosis can be an effective way to help stop your cravings.
• Seek therapy: Some people see a counselor who specializes in behavioral therapy. Changing your behaviors is one of the best ways for you to kick the habit.
• Join a support group: Having the support of people who understand what you are going through can help you succeed. Join a smoking cessation program, Nicotine Anonymous or find out about a Quitline in your area. You can also check your local newspaper for information on support groups in your community.

• Drink water: Help your physical withdrawal symptoms by drinking water; it will help rid your body of cigarette toxins.
• Take medication: You can either take nicotine or non-nicotine medication. Non-nicotine medications include Zyban and Chantix. Nicotine medication helps you wean your body off the drug by decreasing the physical effects of nicotine withdrawal. For nicotine medication, try nicotine gum, patches or a spray. Before taking any medication, speak with your doctor about possible side effects or drug interactions with medications you are already taking.

You may have a day when you don't feel as strong about quitting and decide to have a cigarette or two. This is okay; just pick up where you left off before you relapsed. Don't beat yourself up about relapsing because it will only make it harder for you to reach your goal of never lighting up again. Accept that you had a bad day, and make a commitment to yourself that you will continue on your journey to achieving a smoking-free lifestyle.

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