Kick Your Smoking Habit Once And For All

There are a lot of people that desire to stop their smoking habits. Smoking is really bad for you, and will do irreparable damage to your lungs over time. Use the information in this article to help you learn how to stop smoking forever.

Find a way to quit smoking that works for you, but try to do it little by little. Quitting cold turkey is definitely not recommended. Unfortunately, there is a 95% failure rate among those who attempt to quit without any help. Nicotine is an extremely addictive substance, so nicotine replacement therapy methods may help you wean yourself. Any of these methods can make your experience with withdrawal easier, helping to ensure that you can quit for good.

When you are close to giving in to your cravings for a cigarette, think of a delay before you are allowed to indulge. Make yourself do some other activity first, even just taking a walk around the house or drinking a cup of tea. Sometimes, giving your mind just a little more time is enough to keep you from taking a puff. If you still decide to smoke that cigarette, the delay time might just mean that you smoke one less that day.

If you are not able to quit cold turkey, look into products made specifically for aiding the process. These include gum and patches. You can buy these products over the counter. They allow you to get your daily dose of nicotine and work toward getting rid of this habit without suffering from withdrawal symptoms.

Have a plan for effective stress management to counteract the effects of nicotine withdrawal. Try finding new interests, such as exercise, an interesting hobby, or even a massage. Try to schedule these activities during times you usually have severe cravings for a cigarette. If you have leisure time, distract yourself with hobbies you enjoy and people you love.

Keeping a positive attitude can be the extra motivation to stop smoking. Visualize the improvements you’ll experience in your quality of life once you’re a non-smoker. Think of everything that will improve, from your skin, to your hair, to your breath, to the smell of your car. Although knowing the negative aspects of smoking can scare some people into quitting, thinking about positive changes can be beneficial as well.

Try to not smoke as much. If you want to stop smoking completely, this can get you pointed in the right direction. When you first wake up each morning, try to be up for at least one hour before you light up the first cigarette of the day. Perhaps smoke only half a cigarette instead of a whole one.

Plan ahead for how you will handle stressful events that might arise. Most people who smoke will light up when they’re stressed out. If you make a plan and have strategies in place, you can better avoid smoking. Keep a back-up plan handy in case plan A doesn’t work out.

If you hope to stop smoking, try to avoid any situations that would trigger the need for a cigarette. If you always had a cigarette with your morning coffee or at happy hour after work, try changing your routine. Don’t drink at a bar for a little while, or drink your coffee someplace new to stop the cravings from occurring.

The first few days will be the hardest. The initial 48 hours is when the body tries to get rid of all the nicotine it has held onto. Once that is gone, your feelings of craving will stem from psychological causes. Understanding this can make resisting the cravings less traumatic.

Getting rid of anything that can remind you of smoking is beneficial for anyone trying to kick the habit. Get rid of lighters, ashtrays and matches. Next, put all your clothes through the washing machine and deep clean your whole house to eliminate all the smoke smells. By doing this, you will prevent any triggers these items would cause to remind you about smoking and make you crave a cigarette.

Have a conversation with your doctor that includes a discussion of medications that can assist in quitting. There are many smoking cessation options. There are numerous options available to help you as you quit smoking. There is everything from drugs which reduce withdrawal symptoms to nicotine replacement therapies to wean you off slowly. Consult your doctor for guidance and recommendations.

If you have an oral fixation associated with your smoking habit, find new ways to occupy your mouth. Many people suggest gum or hard candies to do this. Then there are other people who use electronic cigarettes to help themselves.

Set your mind to quitting. Be determined not to give up on your goal of being cigarette-free no matter what happens. Most ex-smokers had to struggle to overcome their addiction for months or even years before succeeding. If you get cravings and relapse, don’t give up and try get back on the path.

By now, you should have a better understanding of what you need to do to stop smoking. Keep in mind that you must remain strong. Utilize the tips provided to assist you in kicking this bad habit for yourself and for those who love and care for you.