Breaking The Nicotine Habit: How To Successfully Quit Smoking
Tobacco contains a host of chemicals that are very addictive and dangerous to your health. In addition to the health hazards associated with smoking, smoking is an expensive habit. Many people find it very difficult to kick smoking; however, it can be done with proper planning and motivation.
Before you ever begin your smoking cessation program, it is important to list why you want to stop smoking. This list should be very detailed. For example, you should include statements such as this: "I want to stop smoking so I can see my children grow up." Or, this statement, "I want to stop smoking because my family is breathing my secondhand smoke." After this list is completed, you can refer back to it whenever the desire to smoke rears its head. This list may just help you keep from picking up the habit again.
After you have written your list of the reasons you want to quit, it's time for you to come to terms with how difficult smoking cessation is going to be. Stopping smoking should never be taken lightly. Many doctors say that it is easier to quit using heroin than it is to quit smoking. This is because the chemicals in cigarettes attach to your brainstem. Whenever the chemicals begin releasing from your brainstem, it can cause many side effects including crankiness and mood swings. By understanding this is a natural process, you and your family members can be prepared for these mood swings.
Most previous smokers admit that learning to avoid things that trigger the urge to smoke was one of the hardest things they had to learn. Triggers can be a variety of things such as: playing cards, going out for drinks with friends or even talking on the phone. By learning what triggers your desire to smoke, you can limit the triggers that make you want to light up.
Support is essential to quitting smoking. Discuss your desire to stop smoking with your friends and family members. By having a support network you can turn to when you want to light up, you will be more likely to stay on track. Use these people when you feel like you need to have a cigarette. Call them; talk with them or even text them. You may be surprised; they may have just the right words of wisdom to keep you from lighting up.
Nicotine is one of the most addictive chemicals in cigarettes. Because of its addictive properties, you may need to slowly wean yourself off of nicotine. One of the best ways to do this is to lay down your cigarettes and begin using either a nicotine patch or nicotine gum. These products allow you to slowly wean yourself off nicotine. Use a step down nicotine system to help you kick the habit of cigarette smoking.
Many people smoke when they are bored. One of the best ways to help you stop smoking is to find a new hobby that you can get lost in. For example, many people say that they can lose hours when playing the piano, cooking or painting. Find what speaks to your soul and do it whenever you feel the urge to smoke.
There may be relapses along your quitting smoking journey. It is important to acknowledge the weakness, try to find what triggered you to smoke and pick up the pieces and begin again. Remember, smoking cessation is a journey. Take each day at face value and try to stay quit for that day only. Then, go on to the next day.
Stopping smoking is difficult; however, thousands have accomplished this. Lean on others when you need them and remember you can do this!
