It can be really hard for many people to quit smoking, even when they know about the problems resulting from nicotine dependence. If this applies to you, the information presented here can be of benefit. Decide which ones sound right to you, and use them to stop smoking.
Keep a list of activities to occupy yourself during cravings. Having several ideas on paper will help you to focus on something more productive. Try doing crossword puzzles, going for walks, or taking baths.
Consider visiting a hypnotist for help in kicking the habit. If you decide to try hypnosis, make an appointment with a licensed hypnotist. A hypnotist has the ability to plant strong and permanent suggestions in your subconscious. When you are awakened from this trance, you might not be as interested in cigarettes as you were before, making your goal more attainable.
Hold onto something during the day to reduce your urge to smoke cigarettes. Toothpicks and straws are both popular replacements. Items like gum or mints may also be a good diversion. Make sure you do not use food as a substitute for cigarettes, because you might gain unwanted weight.
If you are trying to stop smoking, see to it that you have plenty of rest. For many individuals, staying up late at night leads to increased cigarette cravings. There are usually fewer people around late at night to help you stop yourself from taking just one more smoke for the day. If you get eight hours of sleep every night, you will be able to focus better, which means you can control cravings better.
Few people successfully quit smoking the first time. For many, three attempts is the minimum necessary for success. The first technique to implement should be to quit cold turkey. Only five percent of smokers are able to stop cold turkey, but maybe you are one of them. The second quit date you set should be for cutting back gradually. If that fails, pull out all the stops. Consult your doctor on prescription treatment options or try joining a support group.
If you fail your first time quitting, try not to become discouraged. Most people do fail on their first attempt but use it as a learning experience for your next time. Figure out the causes of your caving in, learn from it and then try quitting again. You may find that you conquer an almost identical situation with the right coping mechanisms in the future.
Many inventive types have realized that maintaining a meticulous journal may help in the fight to stop smoking. Most of the time people smoke to relax or to help calm their nerves. Regularly writing in a journal offers another, more healthy means of working out stress, depression and anxiety. And if you need another incentive, it doesn't cost you anything!
Keep a running list of things you can do to distract yourself from cravings, and have it easily accessible at all times. Having several ideas on paper will help you to focus on something more productive. There are many thing you can put on your list, such as a brisk walk, a relaxing bath or doing a puzzle.
To keep yourself motivated, you should think about how your declining health could affect your family. Data suggests that about twenty percent of deaths in the United States have something to do with smoking. You do not want to be a statistic.
Exercise is a great tool to combat smoking withdrawal. When you exercise, your body puts out endorphins. These potent neurochemicals also help reduce withdrawal symptoms. In addition, exercising can be a useful distraction to get your mind off your cravings. While other people will be gaining weight when they quit smoking, you will be in even better shape than before you quite smoking if you use this method.
Use the Internet to find support. Participate in online support groups. You will find an abundance of websites created to assist people with their desire to stop smoking. It's a great way to compare different outlooks and methods before you become disheartened or begin to doubt yourself. Furthermore, other quitters will be poised to offer guidance as you all face the same challenges and hurdles.
Acknowledge that it may take three or more times to quit. Choose your quit date, and attempt to quit cold turkey. You have about a five percent chance of succeeding, but you may be the one person in twenty who does it on the first try. Next, try cutting back gradually. If this does not work, prepare to take any necessary measures. Find a support group and schedule an appointment with your doctor to talk about available drug treatments.
Start exercising at home or join the local gym, to keep you occupied and prevent you from smoking. Furthermore, exercise relieves stress and anxiety. Go for a long walk every day, or play a sport. Ask your doctor in advance of beginning any exercise routine.
If you want to be successful in quitting smoking, you need to believe yourself. You need to truly know you have the power to quit smoking. You have probably overcome many difficult obstacles, and achieved success. Contemplate those successful ventures, and realize that you do have what you need in order to successfully quit smoking as well.
Tell everyone you know that you are going to stop smoking, so that they can help support you. The continuous support and encouragement of your friends and family is a motivational tool that cannot be topped. Ask them to help remind you why you are quitting smoking when times get hard.
Plan to give yourself a few rewards as you begin your stop smoking journey. You will save a lot of cash when you no longer have to buy cigarettes. Set that money aside for the future, and use it occasionally to treat yourself as a reward for your efforts. This tangible benefit from avoiding smoking can be a great motivator to stick with it.
It's not unusual for you to find yourself missing cigarettes even years after you successfully quit. Don't relent for even a single smoke, though. Think about all that you went through to quit, and imagine having to do it all over again.
As you can see, there are a number of strategies that can help you up your odds of successfully becoming a non-smoker. Once you quit, you will feel happier and healthier. You will also be adding some extra years to your life. Use the money you are saving to treat yourself and your family to something special
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