The first step in stopping smoking is to make the decision to quit. The bad news is that this is the easy part; it is much harder to actually follow through with this decision and achieve your goal. Many people try 3 or 4 times before they actually succeed in quitting, while others fail and never try again.
The main reason for failure is people underestimate how tough quitting is, and how much of a stranglehold smoking has on their lives. The key to success is preparation. By preparing yourself and being aware of what you can expect from ditching the habit, you will be vastly increasing your chances of success.
1) Plan ahead - By choosing a date when you will stop smoking, you will be able to both mentally prepare yourself and clear away any smoking related paraphernalia from your home and workplace. Before the day arrives make sure you have got rid of any ashtrays, lighters and cigarettes around the place.
2) Your Environment - It is important that you both live and work in a smoke free environment. If you live with a smoker, you should ask them not to smoke in the house. Smoking at work is no longer as socially acceptable as a cup of coffee these days. Many workplaces now have smoking bans in place, if yours is not one of them then speak to someone in charge about this.
3) Filling the Gap - If smoking has played a large part in your life over the years, you will need something to fill the gap when the urge arises. Anything that works for you to take your mind of smoking will do. Call a friend for a chat, go for a walk, turn on the games console, chew some gum, go to the movies, whatever you find works for you till the urge subsides.
4) Exercise - This can help you quit smoking by reducing the effects of withdrawal symptoms. Exercising can take your mind off your cravings, as well as boosting your self confidence and overall well-being. If you experience increased appetite, some exercise will counter the possible resulting weight gain too.
5) Quit Smoking Aids - Medicines such as the nicotine patch and nicotine gum work by allowing a small steady dose of nicotine into the system, this is designed to steadily wean you off the drug. Other prescription drugs, such as Zyban, do not contain nicotine. They work by helping to reduce the effect of withdrawal symptoms, although they do have their own side effects. Consult your doctor before using any aids to quit smoking to find the one most suitable for you.
Quitting a habit of a lifetime like smoking is never easy, but just a few preparations beforehand can vastly improve your chances. Diving straight in without thinking about it is a recipe for failure, and failure to quit smoking would be very bad for your health.
The main reason for failure is people underestimate how tough quitting is, and how much of a stranglehold smoking has on their lives. The key to success is preparation. By preparing yourself and being aware of what you can expect from ditching the habit, you will be vastly increasing your chances of success.
1) Plan ahead - By choosing a date when you will stop smoking, you will be able to both mentally prepare yourself and clear away any smoking related paraphernalia from your home and workplace. Before the day arrives make sure you have got rid of any ashtrays, lighters and cigarettes around the place.
2) Your Environment - It is important that you both live and work in a smoke free environment. If you live with a smoker, you should ask them not to smoke in the house. Smoking at work is no longer as socially acceptable as a cup of coffee these days. Many workplaces now have smoking bans in place, if yours is not one of them then speak to someone in charge about this.
3) Filling the Gap - If smoking has played a large part in your life over the years, you will need something to fill the gap when the urge arises. Anything that works for you to take your mind of smoking will do. Call a friend for a chat, go for a walk, turn on the games console, chew some gum, go to the movies, whatever you find works for you till the urge subsides.
4) Exercise - This can help you quit smoking by reducing the effects of withdrawal symptoms. Exercising can take your mind off your cravings, as well as boosting your self confidence and overall well-being. If you experience increased appetite, some exercise will counter the possible resulting weight gain too.
5) Quit Smoking Aids - Medicines such as the nicotine patch and nicotine gum work by allowing a small steady dose of nicotine into the system, this is designed to steadily wean you off the drug. Other prescription drugs, such as Zyban, do not contain nicotine. They work by helping to reduce the effect of withdrawal symptoms, although they do have their own side effects. Consult your doctor before using any aids to quit smoking to find the one most suitable for you.
Quitting a habit of a lifetime like smoking is never easy, but just a few preparations beforehand can vastly improve your chances. Diving straight in without thinking about it is a recipe for failure, and failure to quit smoking would be very bad for your health.
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