There is nothing more important than your health. However, once you fall into the trap of smoking regularly it can be very difficult to give it up. Nine times out of ten it’s about getting into the right mindset. It is a psychological battle. Nobody needs to smoke. It’s about training your mind to adapt to a life without this vice. The following tips are here to help you do so.
1. Devise a quit timeline
It is not easy to just suddenly go from smoking say 20 cigarettes a day, to then smoking nothing at all. You need to gradually reduce your intake in order to help yourself adapt easier. Therefore, decide on a day you wish to stop smoking altogether. Then, from today until the quit date you are going to set milestone dates whereby you will reduce your daily intake by a certain number. This will make it a lot easier for you to fall into the transition of eradicating cigarettes from your daily routine.
2. Tell your friends and family
It is important to let your friends and family know that you are planning on giving up smoking. Let them know how crucial it is. Tell them that you are going to need their support and would appreciate it if they did not offer you a cigarette and alike.
3. Join a forum
There are lots of forums online whereby people who are giving up smoking can interact with one and other. Get involved in one of these. You will be able to get support on the days you are finding difficult. You can share your experiences and you will pick up some great tips for fighting the cravings too.
4. Distractions
You need to have an activity or something you can do whenever you have a craving. Why not go for a walk? Exercise is often described as the best alternative. Play a computer game, have a piece of chewing gum, watch television, brush your teeth, have a nap… whatever works for you.
5. Identify when you tend to smoke the most
When do you typically light up a cigarette? Do you spark up when you are speaking to someone on the telephone? Are you someone who has a cigarette when they wake up in the morning? Do you do so in a social environment i.e. when you are at a bar? By identifying when you tend to have a cigarette you will be better equipped to handle it. For instance, if you often smoke whilst on the telephone make sure you have a pen in your hand and start doodling – this will keep your hands occupied and make it easier.
6. Frighten yourself
Do some research on the negative impacts of smoking. If you head to Advanced Urology you will find a little bit more about coping with serious health conditions. While not all of these illnesses are caused by smoking, smoking is linked to a big portion of them!
7. Cut out the caffeine
Switch your regular coffee for decaf coffee. Avoid energy drinks as well. Caffeine can trigger the want for a cigarette. It can also make you feel jittery if you have too much as well.
8. Save the money you would have spent
Finally, grab yourself a jar and put in all the money you would have spent on cigarettes with every week that passes by. You will be amazed by the amount of money you have saved and this will provide you with some extra motivation.
