(ThyBlackMan.com) If you are ready to stop smoking, you should congratulate yourself because making the decision to stop is half the battle. The next step is to find the best way to stop and stick with it. Here are some useful tips for people who want to stop smoking:
Have a Plan
As you already know, there are different techniques that can help you to quit smoking. The methods work differently with different people, so you should choose the best one for you.
They include:
Behavioral therapy – you have to work with a counselor to find the best approach. You will be able to figure out your smoking triggers and come up with a plan for fighting your cravings.
Medication – you can get prescription medicine to help you through the withdrawal process.
Cold turkey – ninety percent of smokers try to quit without any outside help but it rarely ever works. Only a small percentage of between 5 and 7 percent succeeds.
Nicotine replacement therapy – you can use nicotine patches, sprays, gum, or inhalers to help you quit smoking. They will give you a dose of nicotine without the harmful tobacco. This method will work best when paired with behavioral therapy. Just remember that the goal is to end your nicotine addiction, not just to get rid of tobacco.
Combo treatments – if you use a combination of these methods, you will be more likely to succeed. For instance, you can use a nicotine patch together with gum.
No matter which method you choose, you should stick with it. Tell everyone that you are quitting for some moral support. You can also try vaping and getting your e-juices from reputable companies such as Loadedejuice to get a dose of nicotine safely.
How to Stay on Track
On some days, you will feel a strong urge to give in to your cravings. However, you should follow these tips to continue living a smoke-free life:
Understand that the first days are the toughest – as soon as you stop smoking cold turkey, you will start feeling irritable, tired, and depressed. You should have a support group made up of people who have quit smoking. As soon as you get through the first few days, you will feel better.
Reward yourself – when you hit a milestone such as one month, you should reward yourself with something that you have always wanted.
Know your triggers – write down the situations that make you want to smoke and figure out how to deal with them. During the first few months, you should avoid people, routines, and places that make you feel like smoking.
Try a new hobby – you should keep your hands active and do things that keep your stress levels down such as walking your dog. A new hobby will make it easier for you to quit smoking.
Do not give in to cravings – if you do not give in to your cravings, your chances of success will increase. You should start by changing your habits. For instance, you could replace the urge to have a cigarette in your mouth with another activity such as playing phone games or chewing gum.
When you stop smoking, you will see yourself in a new light. Even if you made the decision to quit smoking to lead a healthier lifestyle, you might find yourself missing it. All these feelings are normal for people who have just quit – do not let yourself get pulled back into the habit.
Conclusion
The above tips will come in handy for those who want to stop smoking. You will feel tempted to start smoking again but you need to stick to your guns.
Staff Writer; George Brown