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| smoking |
1.Why Should You Stop smoking?
You may have resolved to quit smoking but what will motivate you to do so? Without the will and motivation, chances of succeeding are reduced. List the reasons on paper and go through it often to stay on track.
2. Choose the date
Prepare in advance and decide the day you are going to give up. Let your friends and family know that you are going to quit. Your colleagues at work could also make the difference between success and failure, you are going to need all the support you can get.
3. Make use of aids like Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
When you have decided to stop smoking, your resolve may be strong and you may believe you can do it cold turkey. It would however not be wise to take this approach. Most of those who take this approach end up relapsing. This is because nicotine is very addictive and the brain becomes completely reliant on it and the body tends to react to the lack of it with withdrawal symptoms. This can be very frustrating and depressing. It helps a lot to use lozenges, gum and nicotine patches. They could even double your chances of quitting.
4.Manage Your Stress Levels
When trying to quit, stress levels will inevitably go up. One reason that people smoke is to reduce stress after all. It may be hard but avoid stress as much as possible. Engaging in relaxing activities and keeping busy such as by taking up exercise like yoga helps.
5. Keep off the triggers
Certain situations may increase your urge to want to start smoking again. For instance alcohol can be one of the most common triggers. Avoid going to the pub in the first few weeks of quitting smoking. Having a cigarette during your coffee break at work can also be a tempting situation. Drink plenty of water and switch to another caffeine-free beverage instead.
6. Give Yourself a Gift
There are a number of health benefits to quitting smoking. There is also the financial advantage of all the money that you save instead of spending on cigarettes. Put all this money together and count it. Keep putting it away in a jar and let it keep reminding you what the habit was costing you. Then take it and buy yourself a gift for resolving to quit and for sticking with the decision.
7.Keep the pounds off!
It is hard enough to quit without the fear of gaining weight. Quitting increases the appetite. Keep your weight under control by making the effort to eat wholesome foods while keeping away from those that are high in fat and sugar. Take a lot of vegetables instead of chocolates or other sweet snacks, snack on fruit instead.
8. If you fail the first time
It is fairly common for those smokers trying to quit to relapse a some point. In fact it is not uncommon for this to happen on more than one occasion. Don't despair learn from your mistakes and discover the reasons that caused you to falter. Think it through and next time you will be stronger. Now set a new date and reaffirm your commitment to quitting.
9. Join the group
It helps a lot to get all the support possible in order to quit smoking. Ask a health care provider like a doctor or pharmacist to direct you to a support group. They are very effective at helping people to quit. There are also online forums that you can log onto any time you need to get support. You can find others in the same position and you can help each other to stay strong.
10.And Finally.... Think Positively.
If you stay positive, then you will most likely succeed at quitting forever. Harboring doubts will not help and will bring your willpower down. In the thick of things, urge yourself on. Fight temptation and focus on something else. Believe that you can do it and you will.
You may have resolved to quit smoking but what will motivate you to do so? Without the will and motivation, chances of succeeding are reduced. List the reasons on paper and go through it often to stay on track.
2. Choose the date
Prepare in advance and decide the day you are going to give up. Let your friends and family know that you are going to quit. Your colleagues at work could also make the difference between success and failure, you are going to need all the support you can get.
3. Make use of aids like Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
When you have decided to stop smoking, your resolve may be strong and you may believe you can do it cold turkey. It would however not be wise to take this approach. Most of those who take this approach end up relapsing. This is because nicotine is very addictive and the brain becomes completely reliant on it and the body tends to react to the lack of it with withdrawal symptoms. This can be very frustrating and depressing. It helps a lot to use lozenges, gum and nicotine patches. They could even double your chances of quitting.
4.Manage Your Stress Levels
When trying to quit, stress levels will inevitably go up. One reason that people smoke is to reduce stress after all. It may be hard but avoid stress as much as possible. Engaging in relaxing activities and keeping busy such as by taking up exercise like yoga helps.
5. Keep off the triggers
Certain situations may increase your urge to want to start smoking again. For instance alcohol can be one of the most common triggers. Avoid going to the pub in the first few weeks of quitting smoking. Having a cigarette during your coffee break at work can also be a tempting situation. Drink plenty of water and switch to another caffeine-free beverage instead.
6. Give Yourself a Gift
There are a number of health benefits to quitting smoking. There is also the financial advantage of all the money that you save instead of spending on cigarettes. Put all this money together and count it. Keep putting it away in a jar and let it keep reminding you what the habit was costing you. Then take it and buy yourself a gift for resolving to quit and for sticking with the decision.
7.Keep the pounds off!
It is hard enough to quit without the fear of gaining weight. Quitting increases the appetite. Keep your weight under control by making the effort to eat wholesome foods while keeping away from those that are high in fat and sugar. Take a lot of vegetables instead of chocolates or other sweet snacks, snack on fruit instead.
8. If you fail the first time
It is fairly common for those smokers trying to quit to relapse a some point. In fact it is not uncommon for this to happen on more than one occasion. Don't despair learn from your mistakes and discover the reasons that caused you to falter. Think it through and next time you will be stronger. Now set a new date and reaffirm your commitment to quitting.
9. Join the group
It helps a lot to get all the support possible in order to quit smoking. Ask a health care provider like a doctor or pharmacist to direct you to a support group. They are very effective at helping people to quit. There are also online forums that you can log onto any time you need to get support. You can find others in the same position and you can help each other to stay strong.
10.And Finally.... Think Positively.
If you stay positive, then you will most likely succeed at quitting forever. Harboring doubts will not help and will bring your willpower down. In the thick of things, urge yourself on. Fight temptation and focus on something else. Believe that you can do it and you will.
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