Here are 10 tips and suggestions to show you through the process of how to stop smoking. The vast majority of smokers are completely confused by the entire process and have no idea where to start! Actually taking the necessary steps to really quit smoking is not easy. What it does mean is finding the right resources and working out what the best methods are available to quit smoking that are best for you and your health. Most people are readily aware that quitting smoking can improve their health, but learning how to really conquer the cravings and overcome withdrawal symptoms can be quite overwhelming.
Tip #1: You need a good reason to quit. Just deciding to quit smoking because it sounds like a good idea or because someone else wants you to, are definitely not sufficient reasons. Make sure the reason you are quitting smoking is based totally around your decision, not someone else’s because if you attempt to quit smoking for someone else the chances of success are going to be very low indeed. All that does is build feelings of guilt and resentment especially if you are feeling pressured. The need to quit smoking is pretty obvious but in actual fact the desire to quit needs to come from inside our minds and for our own reasons in order for the process to be easier as well as successful.
Tip #2: Plan your quitting strategy. First make a resolute commitment to quit smoking for all the right reasons and then decide how you want to go about quitting and stick to it. Workout a specific amount of time for your plan as well as looking for methods and ways that will help you quit smoking permanently. For example you could look at quit smoking hypnosis or a DIY Stop Smoking Program, always research ways and methods that will cause you the least amount of stress and always keep an open mind. Give yourself ample time to try each method, while still giving your-self the flexibility to try something else if that is not successful. Most importantly do not punish or beat yourself up if you don’t succeed, there are plenty of options available.
Tip #3: Look for small rewards that you can give yourself as you make progress. As you progress through your quit smoking plan set up small rewards for each milestone you achieve, that will help you to feel good about quitting smoking and it’ll be a great motivation to keep you on target and moving forward.
Tip #4: Work to overcome your struggles and stress. If you are smoking due to stressful things in your life, look at ways you could change the things that are causing that stress rather than smoking. The reality is…. no amount of smoking is going to change that environment, smoking is not going to magically make it disappear and go away. You must change your environment, especially if it is an area where you are used to habitually smoking for eg: your favorite chair looking out a window or something like that. Avoid areas where you used to go to have a smoke when you were feeling stressed as this is a perfect trigger to weaken and decide to have a cigarette
Tip #5: Seek out help from others who have quit before you. If you need support as you are going through quit smoking process, make sure it is the correct support not someone who has who has never smoked and has no idea or understand what you are going through. Word of caution, do not expect support from someone who still smokes because all they will want to do is bring you down to overcome their own feelings of not being able to quit.
Tip #6: Look for another smoker to quit smoking with you. This is not the best advice unless the person you are quitting with is as dedicated and committed as you are. On the other hand if someone else is working with you and holding you accountable, you are less likely to give in. Working to quit smoking is not easy, but hard tasks are much easier to accomplish with a partner.
Tip #7: Ensure you are getting plenty of sleep. When you’re quitting smoking your body is going through physical and emotional change, if you’re not looking after your well being and getting the rest you need, you’re going to be much more likely to be cranky, upset and angry with the world. This can be very counterproductive to your goal of quitting smoking permanently.
Tip #8: Commit to quit for good. This might seem a bit strange, but if you are just planning to quit for a weekend or a short time you are not going to succeed or put a real effort into it into the process. If you are planning to quit for good and stick to it commitment you are going to put in a lot more time and effort into the process because you want to succeed.
Tip #9: Look for ways to take your focus off cigarettes. If you are always focused on smoking cigarettes guess what? You’ll find that you are much more tempted to smoke because that’s what you’re focusing on. If you’re at work focus on work not about going outside for a smoke, find other things to think about or daydream about a smoke free future if necessary. Reading a book, exercising, talking on the phone, surfing the internet and even cooking are all great ways to occupy your mind and keep you from thinking about when you had your last cigarette.
Tip#10: Be open to alternatives. Doctors and pharmaceutical companies love the idea of prescribing quit smoking drugs and nicotine patches, unfortunately these are usually short term solutions and don’t get to the core of the smoking addiction. Prescription drugs for quitting smoking can come with side effects and nicotine patches and gums are filling y