Smoking is an unhealthy activity that can have severe negative consequences for both you and the people around you. It destroys your lungs and throat, damages your heart and wreaks havoc on your mouth. Non-smokers who spend time with smokers are at almost as much risk as active smokers. This is why it is important for you to stop smoking. The information provided below should help you reach your goal and actually quit.
Quit smoking one step at a time. Giving up the tobacco habit is a long process. Do not concern yourself with next month or next year. Take it one day at a time and as each day turns into another, your efforts to quit will gather into a smoke free future.
Tell your loved ones that you’re quitting smoking today. Just by letting them know what you are attempting to do, they will be able to be a support team for you and assist you in staying motivated and fighting temptations. This support may be the additional push that you require to stay strong as you quit.
Ask your doctor to help you stop smoking. There are medications, such as certain antidepressants, which require a prescription that can help you get through the trials and tribulations of quitting. Also ask your doctor for a list of support groups, therapists and any other resources that may be helpful to you.
Replace sweets with fresh produce to prevent gaining weight as you stop smoking. This can help avoid, or at least minimize, the weight gain often associated with smoking cessation. Remember that your body is going to crave food when you quit and the best thing to do is give it healthy food to keep you in a healthy state of mind.
Reach out to your friends and family to get support, when you decide to quit smoking. Ask them to provide you with encouragement and not criticism. Let them know that you will probably be crabby at the beginning. You’ll need the support of others during this process.
When you are trying to quit smoking, you have to stay away from the things that trigger you and make you smoke. A couple of examples are like if you smoke after you eat a meal or while you drive your car. You have to identify these triggers and change how you respond to them so you don’t automatically start smoking. Find something else that can take your mind off of things when this happens
Don’t try doing it yourself. Get some support from your loved ones. Inform them of the reasons why you’re attempting to quit, and let them assist you. An outside support group of former smokers can also help. Talking with other people who understand will let you work through it.
Be sure to reward yourself for small milestones on your stop smoking journey. For instance, after your first smoke-free week you could go to a movie. After a month, eat out at a nice restaurant that you don’t regularly dine at. Continue working towards these smaller goals until you find you can go without smoking indefinitely.
Cut back on smoking. If you want to stop smoking completely, this can get you pointed in the right direction. It is wise to hold off for at least 60 minutes prior to having the initial cigarette of each day. One other strategy to reduce the amount you smoke is to smoke just half a cigarette each time you have one.
Attach a reward to every small goal you make. These rewards can be tied to a given amount of time spent without smoking, whether a day or a month. Take the time to put the list in a very visible spot and view it daily. This will keep you motivated when it’s tough to stay on track.
Plan in advance how you are going to respond to stress without turning to cigarettes. Many smokers respond to stress by lighting up another cigarette. Having a plan in place will ensure you don’t fall prey to your cravings. It is best to have a few different methods to choose from.
Look for opportunities to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. You’ll be able to breathe better almost immediately after quitting, so exercising won’t be as difficult as it has been in the past. Increased exercise will also ensure that you don’t gain any weight after quitting. The endorphins from a workout will help keep the edge off as you withdraw from nicotine.
If you don’t quit once, you can always try again. Even people who have the best intentions and planning may end up smoking in the future. Know where you made a mistake, and learn from your mistakes before you attempt to quit yet again. You may experience a bigger triumph down the road.
You should eliminate anything associated with smoking from your home, while quitting smoking. Toss your lighters, cigarette case and ashtrays. Clean everything in your home and wash your clothes to get rid off all hints of the smoke smell. This will stop anything that reminds you of your smoking days to trigger a craving.
Smoking is a dangerous and unhealthy activity. Some of the negative effects it can have on your health include lung cancer, emphysema, and hear attacks. Second-hand smoke is also very dangerous and threatens all those around you when you smoke. By implementing the hints and tips you’ve been given, you’ll have a better chance of being successful in your attempt to kick the habit.