Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Make Your Next Cigarette Your Last With These Handy Tips

The task of quitting smoking can break the will of even the most determined person. Even people who are desperate to quit still believe that smoking provides something to them. These suggestions will help you determine the best way to break the bonds of cigarette addiction.

Create a mantra centered around your most important reasons for wanting to quit. When you feel like giving up, state your reasons aloud, over and over, to help the craving pass. This helps you take your focus off of smoking, and instead you are able to focus on other important things to you.

Do not crack under stress or pressure: find another way to deal with your stress. You may find it helpful to work out during the most difficult part of the day, learn a new skill or hobby, or book massages on a regular schedule. You should do your best to fill any free time with pleasurable and fulfilling activities. You can take this time to catch up on with old friends or reading, too.

Write down what is important to you in regards to giving up cigarettes. Make sure you include all reasons you can possibly think of to help you. Every time you have the temptation to smoke, consult your list to put things in perspective. This will keep you motivated and help you remember you why you are trying to quit.

Instead of thinking that you "must" quit, think about wanting to quit. If you regard quitting optimistically, you have a better chance of remaining focused on your goal and achieving it more quickly. Think about the pros rather than the cons. Do not dwell on the deprivations, think about the positive aspects of a nicotine free life. This will keep your motivation up while giving real reason to stop now.

Cut back on smoking. That will help you slowly begin your journey to quit smoking. Avoid smoking when you first wake up. To cut back, try smoking 1/2 of a cigarette instead of a full one.

Decorate a glass jar and fill it with the dollars that would have gone towards your cigarettes. When you've made it to a year smoke-free, take the money and buy yourself something you want. Smoking cigarettes is expensive, and once you quit you might even have enough saved for a nice little vacation!

There are wonderful supplements in the form of nicotine patches and even gum to help you stop smoking if you need some help. These over-the-counter products will supply nicotine to your body during your quitting efforts. They can ward off the maddening physical withdrawal symptoms.

Increase your exercise level to help you overcome withdrawal problems. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that reduce your urges. Also, being active will make you forget about smoking. Using exercise to help you quit smoking will have the added benefit of keeping you from gaining weight as many people do when they quit smoking.

What are your triggers as a smoker? An example of triggers would be work, stress or maybe other people. Avoid each of these, which can help you to reduce the urges that you will have. If some triggers are unavoidable, plan mechanisms for dealing with the temptation before you are faced with them.

Advise friends, family and co-workers that you are going to stop smoking. If many people know you have stopped smoking they will help hold you accountable. You will not want to disappoint your loved ones or become embarrassed that you keep smoking and fall short of what they expect from you. The fear of failure or disappointment can serve as a positive motivator throughout the process.

The powerful advice above demonstrates that you can face quitting without fear and increase your chance of success. If you use what you have learned here, you give yourself a much better chance of succeeding. You might shock yourself with what you can accomplish with the right mindset.

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