Smoking is a nasty habit but is one that can be very hard to give up despite the associated health risks. To quit successfully you must make a plan and stick to it, and get help when you need it. You are much more likely to give up with help! There are many benefits to giving up, from saving a lot of money to being able to taste things better. It’s not an easy thing to do, but you can quit and i’m going to show you how.
1. Really want to quit
To give up smoking you have to have willpower and a strong desire to do so. Ask yourself why you want to quit and think of the ways you will personally benefit from giving up smoking. Is it to save money, or just to lead a healthier life? Decide on a date that you would like to be smoke free by.
2. When and why do you smoke?
Try to work out when you smoke the most often, and what triggers you to smoke. Is it a habit at certain times of day e.g. with a morning coffee or after meals? Knowing your triggers will help you combat the urge to smoke.
3. Change your daily schedule
Once you know when and why you smoke, change your schedule to minimize the circumstances where you usually smoke, or do something different to occupy yourself such as chewing gum, going for a walk etc until the craving passes.
4. Avoid other smokers
Try to stay away from other smokers until you are well on the way to completing your goal. Ask your friends and family to refrain from smoking around you. It’s all too easy to re-lapse when you see others lighting up.
5. Use quit smoking aids
There are many different types of these available, either from your doctor or over the counter. Some of these are nicotine replacements that can help with the addiction and are often shaped like a cigarette to give you something to do with your mouth and hands while trying to quit. Using some kind of aid has been proven to increase the chance of giving up for good.
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