Set Your Mind on How to Quit Smoking
By Andrew Wilson
Smoking is a hard habit to kick because it involves the use of the most addictive but legal drug in the world – nicotine.
Studies show that smoking is not only harmful to the smoker but to people, especially to the children, who are exposed to it passively. It is one of the main causes of death in the world yet people who smoke seem unmindful of this fact. What are the best ways to encourage them how to quit smoking in order to lead a healthier life not only for themselves, but for the people around them?
While quitting smoking can be tough, it is not impossible at all. Many have tried and failed but many people can also attest to the truth that with the right frame of mind and game plan, learning how to quit smoking can be done to end the bad habit for good. Admittedly, it is initially difficult because it is coupled with physical and behavioural changes typical of any withdrawal procedure thus many of those attempting to quit smoking easily abandon their plan. However, one who has a firm determination to address the smoking habit can be successful and reap the rewards of a longer life, fresher breath, whiter teeth, healthier lungs and gums, and cleaner air for his loved ones, not to mention the considerable amount of savings from cigarette costs.
Psychological Therapy to End the Smoking Habit
Realize that smoking cigarettes is both a habit and addiction. It involves the body and the mind. The act of puffing a cigarette stick has already been embedded in the mind as part of a ritual. For example, the first stick is lighted to accompany a smoker as he relieves himself upon waking up in the morning or a good smoke is needed to end a good meal. Moreover, most people feel they can use a couple of cigarettes to manage unpleasant moods such as sadness, stress, fear, anxiety or boredom. A rollup, cigar or cigarette gives them company that can evaporate the nasty feelings into thin air.
As much as cigarette can provide all these temporary relief, a smoker who wants to know how to quit smoking must remember that there are a variety of healthier substitutes to drive and relieve these horrible feelings. Just like alcoholism, smoking is not effective in taking away all the unpleasantness of life because after inhaling all those smokes, nothing has changed at all except that you just shortened your life a little bit more. There are more appropriate ways to equip you in confronting life’s torments like meditation, exercises, or chewing a sugar-free gum. With firm determination, it is not difficult to ingrain all these simple and healthy ways to combat daily irritations that normally make you puff a smoke.
Find a valid reason why you need to stop smoking. List down all the good reasons why you have to consider the idea. Before you arrive at the last item on your list you can hopefully find among them the most valid reason for doing so. In fact, the current or emotional reasons are the best ones that can give you an inner determination to throw the habit. For example, “How can I be completely uncaring about my family’s health while I smoke in the house?” or “I feel embarrassed when people cover their nose when I’m around because I smell like a human ashtray.” Such daily circumstances are more motivating that future situations like “Do I have enough savings to treat my emphysema?” or “How will my family survive once I succumb to lung cancer?”
Be positive and believe that you can be successful in defeating the bad habit. Nobody can help you become successful on how to quit smoking but yourself. While there can be numerous tips that you can use, it all boils down to your firm determination to really quit smoking. Everything comes with a price, but unless you believe and persevere, you can never reap the prize of your undertaking. Be committed to what you are determined to do and stay focused. Friends or even family may smoke around you, but once they see your resolve to quit, they may as well start kicking the habit, too.
