Quit Smoking Tips

There is so much help and advice for smokers to quit these days that it can be difficult to know where to start or what will work for you. Do you take gum, go cold turkey, go with the patch or perhaps hypnosis? There is no right or wrong answer you just have to find the one that is right for you.

One of the biggest hurdles any smoker faces when quitting is not having that cigarette every time you have a craving and the only way this can be done is by having strong will power. One of the best ways to approach this, especially in the first few days to a week is to practice “out of sight is out of mind”. That being said rid your living environment of all cigarette lighters, ashtrays and of course cigarettes. In fact throw them out as you won’t need them anymore and let in some fresh air.

Its always good to plan a day when you are going to quit and stick to it. Prepare yourself mentally for this day. Keep telling yourself the dangers of smoking and remind yourself how disgusting it is. Every time you have a cigarette prior to the day learn to see it for what it is. Watch the cigarette burn down as you inhale and imagine the toxins and pollutants that are entering your body, feel the smoke building up your chest and watch it leave your body.

When you are having a craving remind yourself that its not your body wanting a cigarette but its your body rejecting the nicotine you have put into it. Over the years of your body releasing the toxins from cigarettes you have trained yourself to see this as a craving. It is not, it is your body trying to heal itself.

After 48 hours all the nicotine has left your body but you will carry on craving cigarettes. A part of your brain basically becomes like a big baby that still wants what it was used to getting. Learn to separate the two then you can learn to control your cravings.

In the first week its a good idea to break your routine. The first week is by far the toughest and to make life easier for you, you should break up your usual routine. If you ever wanted to catch up on some much needed sleep, this would be the time to do it. Have an early night and a healthy start to the day – exercise and a good breakfast! Break up your travel pattern too. Shop in another shop. All these places trigger your brain to wanting a cigarette or purchasing a cigarettes at certain times. The more obstacles you throw in your way the better the better it will be for you in the long run.

If you get to the point where you really feel you need a cigarette then take a shower or a bath. Try to avoid things that will agitate you or challenge you. Take it easy in the first week and try to remain calm. The best way to get over any need to smoke is by being prepared for whats to come and dealing with it in the best way. If you are agitated, moody or aggressive you will quickly forget that you trying to quit and will soon find yourself puffing away. There is a part of your brain that will do anything to have a cigarette and agitating or making you moody is just another trick you will play on yourself to get that cigarette.