How You Can Quit Smoking For Good

Smoking is well known for the hold it has on people. There is no denying that trying to quit can be hard. But it is not impossible, and you can do it.

With motivation and support along with helpful techniques and tricks like the ones in this article, you can be on your way to success.

To quit smoking for good, you'll get better results by gradually weaning yourself than you would if you tried to quit cold turkey. Nearly all people that try to quit cold turkey fail as a result of nicotine withdrawal. Cut back slowly and steadily, and if the cravings are still too powerful then subsidize your efforts with medication or other tools.

Set a day that you plan on quitting your smoking habit permanently. Write down this date on your calendar, and plan on this day. Your mind should be ready for a new change that will last for the remainder of your life. You could even have a small party on the morning of the day that you're quitting.

Learn how to manage stress. One of the top reasons people smoke is because the nicotine can help them relax. Once you are able to quit, you are going to need to find another way to cope with your stress. You can get massages regularly, listen to relaxing music or learn tai chi or yoga. If you can, avoid situations that cause you a lot of stress while you are quitting and soon after.

To improve your odds of quitting smoking for good, don't combine your effort to quit with another goal, particularly weight loss. You already have enough stress and cravings to deal with just trying to quit smoking. If you try to wean yourself from something else at the same time, you are likely to fail at both.

When you're ready to quit smoking and have a plan in place to do so, set a firm date after which you won't smoke anymore. Prepare for the date, and make a big deal out of it. Think of it as the day when you regain control of your life, and make it a joyous occasion.

Have true faith in the fact that you can quit smoking. You must believe it in order truly quit. You can't go into it half-heartedly. Consider all the tough things you have accomplished in other aspects of your life, and use those memories to fuel your full commitment to stopping smoking.

Find support through online forms and message boards. There are hundreds of useful websites that are dedicated to furthering your goals of smoking cessation. You might see that it will help to look at the ways others have quit. In addition, people who are attempting to quit with you will be able to understand the struggles that go along with this quest.

Before you quit, identify your triggers and plan ways around them. If you always smoke when you drink, abstain from alcohol for a while. If smoking before, during or after meals is a common practice for you, change up your meal plans or environments to prevent this. Track your smoking times and places to know when and where you light up and adapt accordingly.

Clean your house and car when you quit smoking. Don't spend time in an environment where you look at the surroundings and equate them with smoking. Dispose of butts and ashtrays and clean anything with the smell of cigarettes. Your fresh environment should reflect a healthier, cleaner you, and some rigorous housecleaning might just let you power through a craving.

If you aren't afraid of the long-term health hazards of smoking, then tap into your vanity to help you stop. Did you know that smoking can cause wrinkles, yellow fingernails, and cause you to lose your teeth? It can also lead to macular degeneration, which in turn leads to blindness.

If you do not want to use nicotine replacement therapy to help you quit smoking, consider asking your doctor for a prescription. There are medications that can alter your brain chemistry and reduce your nicotine cravings. Taking one of these prescriptions may be just the aid you need to get you over the hump.

Throw away your cigarettes and lighters. This will make it impossible to smoke unless you leave the house. It serves to remind you how much of a hassle it is to smoke and leaves you without any. When you do this, keep yourself busy with other activities so you don't think about smoking.

Look into non-traditional methods of quitting smoking. No one quits smoking the same way and what works for your friend, may not work for you. If you are having trouble quitting with the more conventional methods, take a look at your options. Hypnosis and acupuncture are both highly successful methods to help you quit.

Be careful about what you eat. If you are giving up cigarettes, don't try to diet at the same time. You should eat in a balanced way. Smoking affects the taste of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and some dairy products. By making these types of food choices, you will keep your diet nutritionally sound and also possibly make smoking quite unappealing.

If you want to avoid nicotine withdrawals, but aren't comfortable using a nicotine replacement, talk to your doctor about medication. There are many prescription pills that help your body fight off cravings without giving it nicotine. These pills can also help you avoid some of the side effects of quitting smoking, like depression.

Abstain from alcohol when you first quit smoking. Many people associate smoking and drinking, so the temptation to smoke will be higher if you drink. If you don't want to stop drinking altogether, limit yourself to drinking in restaurants or bars so that you'll have to go outside if you want to smoke. You might decide it's not worth the effort if you have to leave the table to smoke.

It is a fact that smoking can have a very tight hold on smokers. But it is entirely possible to break free and become a successful non-smoker.

Increase your chances of success by creating a plan that includes helpful techniques and tips like the ones in the above article, and break free of smoking for good.