Top Useful Tips for Quitting Smoking

Giving up smoking sounds difficult for most smokers. and even though admittedly it isn’t easy, it is totally possible. Here is some advice on how to quit smoking quickly and effectively:

Before Starting to Quit

1. Believe in yourself

It’s very important to believe that quitting is something you can do. Before getting started, think about all the difficulties or troubles you have faced in your life and finally overcome. Then you can get the courage and determination you need to achieve your quitting goal. Once you make up your mind, believe you can do it.

2. know why you need to quit

Figure out all of your personal reasons for quitting smoking, whether you want a healthy body and prolonged life span for you and your family, to reduce expenses and save money, make it easier to find a partner, or smell and breathing better. We all know the evils of smoking and the ill effects it can have on our health. But you should also try to understand what you have got from smoking. Then write down on paper the benefits of quitting and read them daily.

3. Make a Quitting plan

Based on your living habits and personality, make your own quitting plan before starting the process.

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4. Set a deadline for quitting

Set a date that you intend to completely give up smoking, and write it down. Know that after that date and once you no longer desire to smoke any cigarettes, you will be able to turn over a new leaf for your life. Remember that date.

5. Imagine ways to decline a cigarette

You should image how to decline a cigarette when offered one by others, as well as the scenario of turning down a cigarette to yourself. Visualize turning down a cigarette clearly, so that it becomes something that is easier to do.

6. Seek helps from others

You can seek helpful suggestions and support from others. For example, ask guidance from your physician about how to quit smoking effectively. Or let your families and friends know that you are determined to quit, asking them be supportive and very patient. And if you can find another smoker who also wants to quit, you could be partners in helping, encouraging and supervising each other in dealing with the challenges to come.

During The Quitting

1. The best way for you to quit

Try to find out which way is the best for you to quit smoking, either cold turkey or gradually stopping. While some smokers like to abandon smoking at once without cutting back gradually, some people need to stop smoking step by step. And there are many ways to cut back on cigarettes gradually. Calculate the number of cigarettes you are going to smoke daily before your quit deadline, reducing the cigarettes day by day. Put cigarettes in a place that is out of your reach. Change the brand of cigarettes you are used to smoking. Practice declining cigarettes other people offer to you and even give your cigarettes to other people. You can try any number of these approaches and find the ones that fit you best.

2. Be honest with yourself

When you are craving a cigarette, think about what are the triggers that make you want to smoke. Is it that because you are under stress, or just a habit for you to smoke at the end of a meal or on special occasions? Be honest with yourself and find other ways to deal with these situations instead of smoking.

3. Find alternatives

Get an alternative object to cigarettes to hold in your hand or mouth, such as drinking straws, pencils, or artificial cigarettes, when you long to smoke. Writing down what goes through your mind when you feel like smoking (instead of actually smoking) can help too. Perhaps, on the day you finally give up cigarettes, you might find it helpful to start a journal that you can continue writing throughout your quitting process.

4. Ways of Alleviating your addiction

1). Water is a great substance for suppressing your “oral desires”. What’s more, it can also help to flush nicotine and other chemicals out of your body. So drinking lots of water is a good way to lessen the urge to smoke.

2). Exercising and smoking are incompatible with each other. For a smoker who is trying to quit, doing exercise can help relieve pressure and repair damage caused by long term smoking. You can start with light exercise, such as a jog. And try to manage 30 to 40 minutes effective exercise 3 to 4 times a week. But be sure to consult your doctor before starting any long term or intensive exercise plan.

3). Doing some deep breathing for 3 to 5 minutes per day is also very helpful and easy to do. You can close your eyes when you are breathing deeply, and at the same time, visualize your ways to becoming a non-smoker.

5. Find the fun in quitting

Finding some ways to have fun and express yourself when quitting smoking can help to relive anxiety. You can compose songs or poems about quitting, or write stories about it. Keeping yourself busy during this challenging time is essential to taking your mind off any urges you might have to smoke. So why not try a new hobby or activity to keep busy and have some fun.

6. Inspire yourself consistently

Staying consistently motivated is very important. After starting to quit, set yourself milestones to reach and celebrate achieving them. For example, after being smoke-free for two or three weeks, why not treat yourself to a meal at a good restaurant, buy yourself something nice or treat yourself to a spa treatment. Another good way to motivate yourself, is taking a picture of the most important people to you, and writing down inspirational words on it, such as “I’m quitting for myself and for you”, then keep it with you all the time. Whenever you want to give up, take it out and read what you have written down, and you can feel inspired once again!