March 13, 2009
Tips to Help Quit Smoking
Once you decide to stop smoking, you are in for a long and difficult road ahead. Kicking the habit can be extremely difficult for the majority individuals, since it involves severe changes in lifestyle as well as full commitment on your part. Fortunately, after you have finally stopped smoking, a smoke free life can open up infinite possibilities. The positive effects you can get from a smoke free lifestyle should keep you focused. In the succeeding sections, we will discuss a number of tips to help you fight your smoking addiction:
Avoiding 'Tempting' Situations
As you probably noticed, smoking is commonly done in a public setting - such as when you're mixing with co-workers and friends in clubs, bars, coffee shops, and various other public haunts.
The solution is to stay away from situations that can coax you to smoke again. As an example, don't say yes when your pals invite you to go out for a cigarette. Inform your buddies that you've decided to quit the habit and that they should respect this decision.
While smoking in public places is looked down recently, some clubs/bars still allow smoking. You should avoid going to public places where you know many individuals will be smoking.
To replace your usual pursuits, focus on healthy routines, like taking up a new hobby or a new sport.
Creating a Stop Smoking Plan
Most times, creating your own well-organized quit smoking plan really helps. List down your normal daily cigarette consumption, and then slowly and consistently lower down your consumption in the following days. Clearly, you are supposed to strictly follow through with this plan, regulating the number of cigarette sticks you smoke each day. The transition to a life free of smoking must be smooth but decided. That way, you can avoid the effects of complete nicotine withdrawal while following your gradual smoking cessation plan. Cut down 2-3 two or three cigarette sticks per day for every week. To demonstrate, if your average consumption is 20 each day, try smoking only 18 to 17 cigarettes in the succeeding week, and continue doing this in the succeeding weeks.
Know Your Body
In smoking cessation, it's important for you to be consciously in tune with your cravings for nicotine. You should be able to acknowledge such cravings so that you can more effectively manage them. Your nicotine craving should by no means be indulged as it will pass.
Avoiding Certain Drinks
If you usually smoke with your coffee or tea, you must try to avoid these beverages in the initial period of smoking cessation. In lie of the regular beverage, drink water, juice, or various other options.
Managing Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms
When you've finally made up your mind to fight your cigarette addiction, you should get ready for the possibility of nicotine withdrawal effects. The answer to defeating these symptoms is to accept that you may experience them. You must be patient with yourself, in particular when dealing with moments of temptation and personal crisis. Also, don't stress over it and try to be as relaxed as possible, bearing in mind that smoking cessation is a long process that requires time and effort.
You may try any or all of the above mentioned strategies for quitting until such time when you conquer your addiction entirely. Throughput the process, always keep in mind that the advantages of a smoke free life far exceed any problems that you might come across. In the long run, your efforts will bear fruit.
Filed under About Addiction by Amy Allen













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