There are millions of reasons people begin smoking, but there are only a few reasons people want to quit. So, no matter when you started smoking cigarettes or when you decided you want to stop, you should understand you may find yourself in a difficult battle as you begin fighting the addiction of withdrawals. Here are some proven ways you can use to quit smoking.
1. Motivation
If you want to quit smoking, you must have a personal motivation for taking the big step. It could be a new baby in the family, health concerns, or dislike for secondhand smoke, but the reason must be powerful enough to motivate you into action. Your need to quit must outweigh your urge to light up a cigarette. Most people can not rely on willpower alone when their body is demanding relief from withdrawal symptoms, so motivation is important.
2. Goals
Set goals for yourself about when you are going to stop and how you will end your relationship with tobacco. Some people begin with a “today’s the day” goal, while other individuals believe in taking the marathon route and quitting “cold turkey.” You know yourself better than anyone else, so be realistic about what you believe you can accomplish. Set a goal and go for it.
3. Medication
Nicotine replacement therapy is one of the most popular methods used to quit smoking. The most frequently used alternate sources are nicotine lozenges or patches. The nicotine your body craves is provided in a time-released experience. This allows you to remove other harmful chemicals from your body, while controlling the nicotine.
4. Withdrawal
There are many ways people exhibit withdrawal symptoms when they quit smoking. Some experience minor symptoms such as infrequent headaches or the need to eat. Others, however, may experience personality changes, constant irritability, skin rashes, or emotional shaking. Because nicotine provides a rush of “feel good” chemical boosts to your brain, when you take that away, the loss for some people can be emotionally and physically devastating. Before you quit smoking, read about withdrawal symptoms and what you can expect.
5. Reward
Reward yourself for your accomplishments, but make sure your rewards fit the many hurdles you are bound to jump over. If you make it through a full day without cigarettes, reward yourself with a special hour to yourself. When you have successfully made it through a week, celebrate the milestone with a dinner out or a special weekend away. Remember, small victories are the foundation of success.
6. Problems
As with many goals, there may be setbacks or problems as you work through your effort to quit smoking. If you find yourself slipping back and grabbing a cigarette out of habit, analyze the situation, recognize the event that triggered your need, and begin your journey to quit again. Do not fall into the trap of believing you cannot do it; rather, recognize you are human enough to slip. All you have to do is start again – every step counts.
You can quit smoking. There is no right or wrong way to do it, so find out which one works for you and go for it to create a healthier, happier life.