Smoking is both a physical addiction and a psychological habit. We all know the health risks of smoking, but that doesn’t make it easy to stop the habit.
Quitting smoking is not something that can happen in one day.
Whether you are an occasional smoker or a full-time smoker quitting can be really tough but you can quite with a little help.
To stop smoking, here are successful tips and steps to follow:
1. List all the reasons why you want to quit smoking
You determine ‘Why’.
2. Set a quit date
Once you have decided to stop smoking, pick a day that is not too far in the future (so that you do not change your mind). If you mainly smoke at work, quit on the weekend, so you have a few days to adjust to the
Change.
3. Tell family, friends, and co-workers that you plan to quit
Quitting is easier with support. Let your friends and family know you want to stop smoking and tell them you need their support and encouragement to stop.
4. Prepare for the challenges you’ll face while quitting
Most people who begin smoking again do so within the first three months.
You can help yourself make it through by preparing ahead for common challenges, such as Plan lots of dates with friends, get out of the house,go for walks, bike rides, or go to the gym, or to a movie.
5. Remove cigarettes and other tobacco products from your home, car, and work
Round up those lighters, ashtrays, pipes and any leftover cigarettes, and clear them out of your vehicle, home and workplace.
Do it now so that these items won’t be able to trigger the desire to smoke later.
6. Keep your hands busy
Never stay idle. Always find yourself doing something and avoid friends or relatives that smoke.
7. Talk to your doctor about medications
Your doctor can prescribe medication to help with withdrawal symptoms.
If you can’t see a doctor, you can get products including nicotine patches, lozenges to reduce desire to smoke.
(Source: www.helpguide.org, ucihealth.org, smokefree.gov, addictionsandrecovery.com, Medicalnewstoday.com)
