Top Five Tips for Quitting Smoking

by Melody Thacker, in Uncategorized (No Comments)

One of the most common new years resolutions people make is to stop smoking, and after a few days many break their resolution. There is no doubt, cigarette smoking is easy to start but hard to quit. It is compared to being as addictive as heroin. But don’t lose hope. If you are a smoker and you want to break the habit, you can do it.  Every day is a good day to quit!

Countries world wide are recognizing the health risks of smoking and encouraging people to quit. It’s National Non-Smoking Week in Canada this week, January 20-26, 2013.  Every year, it’s World No Tobacco Day on May 31st, an initiative by the World Health Organization. Pick a quit date and go for it!

The first thing that you need to be is realistic. Every time you light up and inhale nicotine, your brain is getting hooked. When it depends on this substance to be there, it won’t let it go easily.

However, you’ve taken a huge first step when you make the decision to quit. Now is the time to get help and support. Hardly anyone can break a nicotine dependency alone. Just admitting that you need help will go a long way to build a reliable support system for the times when you need it most.

It’s not uncommon for people who quit smoking to gain a few pounds. Because you’ll feel the need to do something with your hands, you might snack or nibble more. Drink water or reach for some carrot sticks or keep your hands busy in some other way! Here are a the top five tips to help you quit smoking successfully:

1. Have compelling reasons for quitting! Write down why you want to quit, it’s easier to commit to your goals when you put them on to paper, it gives them life and power. You are bound by them then. Make a vision or goal board, or use a journal to record why you want to quit. Reread those reasons whenever you feel like you are having second thoughts about your decision.
2. Accountability is a big issue when it comes to breaking an addiction so tell others that you plan to quit. They can lovingly encourage you when things get rough. Also, they can hold you to your goals and keep you interested in other activities that don’t involve smoking.
3. Try going cold turkey! While some people believe that you can get away with cutting back on the number of cigarettes you smoke each day, you are still smoking and dependent on nicotine. When you are stressed it is far easier to pick the habit back up this way.
4. Avoid smokers! This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t spent time with family and friends! Simply get together with them in places where smoking isn’t allowed. Be tactful so their friendship isn’t lost forever and ask them for their help.  Just the smell will weaken your resolve to quit especially in the first month.
5. Exercise! It can be as simple as walking the dog or going mall walking with a friend. Exercise releases endorphins that increase feelings of well being, something you will need as you work to reach your goal.

Smoking is a habit that can impact your health and shorten your life. Make no mistake; when you try to quit you will experience withdrawal symptoms just like any other form of addiction. When the brain is deprived of nicotine, you may feel irritable and anxious. Your irritability may make your friends and family want to muzzle you, but if they have pledged to help you, they will get through it too.  Use the tips above to help you leave it behind.