5 Useful Steps To Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking is very difficult. I know this because I used to smoke. If you smoke and want to get rid of this filthy habit, read the 5 steps I took to help me quit smoking below. Hopefully these tips will help you see it through.

CREATE A NON-SMOKING PLAN

* Pick a day to quit smoking. Picking a specific day to quit smoking will help you keep to your goal. Make sure the day you pick gives you enough time to prepare and plan for it. Put the date in your calendar and commit yourself, letting family and friends know.
* Avoid quitting smoking during holiday periods and times when you can expect extra stress. I once attempted to quit smoking a few weeks before I went on holiday. I was doing well up until I actually went on holiday with other smokers and found it extremely difficult to stick to my non-smoking plan. I eventually gave in and started smoking again.
* Go to your doctor and discuss that you are planning to quit smoking. Ask what medications are available that might help you quit.
* Read about nicotine withdrawal and how it will affect you when you quit smoking. You will feel that you need a cigarette once you have quit, especially at the beginning. Learn about these feelings and how to avoid them.
* Start cutting back on the amount of cigarettes you smoke each day.

GET SUPPORT

* Tell your family and friends that you are planning to quit smoking. Tell them the date you have decided to quit. Turn to them if you need someone to talk to if you are finding it difficult.
* Avoid hanging around people that smoke. If you have friends that smoke, don't stand around them when they are smoking.

STICK TO YOUR NON-SMOKING DAY

* When your non-smoking day arrives, make sure you avoid buying or having any cigarettes. If you have a few left over from the day before, throw them out.
* Get rid of any lighters and ash trays as you won't need them anymore. Get rid of anything that reminds you of smoking.
* Use nicotine replacement if you feel this will help you.
* Drink lots of water as this will flush out any nicotine in your system quicker.
* Keep busy all day.

KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET CRAVINGS TO SMOKE

* You will probably come up with excuses to start smoking again. Maybe you are having a bad day or feel stressed out. You need to change your mindset and realise that smoking is not the answer.
* When you get cravings to smoke, take deep breaths until the craving passes. Focus on something different and your craving will pass. I found that if I held off for 10 minutes and relax the craving soon disappears.
* Avoid any situations that will trigger your desire to smoke.

KEEP TO YOUR NON-SMOKING PLAN AND REMIND YOURSELF OF THE BENEFITS

* Calculate the amount of money you are saving by not smoking. Add up how much you save per week / month etc. You will soon realise the amount of money you was wasting and how you can now afford to do better things with the money.
* Start to improve your diet and exercise regularly. By doing so, you will start to feel better in yourself and reduce cravings.
* Make sure you treat yourself with the money you have saved. Maybe a new item of clothing, a holiday etc
* Avoid alcohol, especially for the next 2-3 weeks. Drinking alcohol makes you more likely to start smoking again.
* If you slip up and have a cigarette make sure it only happens once. You are now a non-smoker. Learn why you had a cigarette and how to avoid it if the situation arises again.

Quitting smoking is very difficult. You need to want to give up smoking to succeed. I had to try a few times before I was successful. Now that I am smoke free, I feel fitter, healthier and have more money to enjoy spending on myself. If I can do it, so can you. Good Luck!

Recommended books (downloadable pdfs):

Sean Nalewanyj - 7 Simple Steps To A Better Body
Grenville Kleiser - Successful Methods Of Public Speaking

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