Four Tips to Quit Smoking Cigarettes

As anyone who has quit cigarettes can tell you, it’s one of the hardest things they’ve ever done. However, while it was hard, it was achievable. This is important to remember if you’re someone who is struggling to quit smoking cigarettes. We all know the negative effects of smoking, but somehow this isn’t enough to get us to stop. If you’re struggling to quit, here are 4 tips you can use and hopefully quit the habit once and for all.

Define Your Reasons

First, you need to think about why it is you want to quit. Many people who are trying to quit do so because they know it’s unhealthy. However, simply saying it’s unhealthy isn’t a specific enough reason to quit smoking. Instead, come up with the exact reasons that you want to quit and write them down.

Do you want to be able to run in a 5k race? Are you worried about not living long enough to see one of your kids get married, or a grandchild graduate? Perhaps you’re looking to improve your smile. Or maybe you simply can’t afford to smoke a pack a day, and you’re tired of having to leave group events to go smoke outside.

Everyone has their own reasons, and it’s important to figure out what yours are. These are the things that will keep you motivated to stop smoking when the urge gets particularly strong.

Get a Support System

Quitting smoking is hard, but it’s even harder if you try to do it on your own. A support system will make this process a lot easier, so try to surround yourself with one. If you know someone else who is trying to quit cigarettes, see if they want to go on this journey with you. Hold each other accountable and be there for one another when the urges get strong. You can also share advice with one another on strategies that you find helpful.

If you don’t know anyone else looking to quit, then just surround yourself with family and friends. Tell them you’re trying to quit and ask for their help. This could be in the form of not smoking around you, or even just offering you words of encouragement. It’s been shown that we are much more likely to stick to a goal if other people are holding us accountable, so let everyone know you’re trying to quit and ask for their support.

Choose the Right Strategy

When it comes to quitting cigarettes, there are plenty of methods you can try. The key isn’t finding the best overall method, it’s finding the method that works best for you. Some people prefer going cold turkey and simply giving up cigarettes one day. Others like to scale back the number of cigarettes they’re having each day, until they finally reach zero.

You can also look for alternatives to get your fix. For example, some people take up vaping, which you can learn about through resources like Vapor Authority. Others use nicotine patches or chew on nicotine gum. Think about which strategy appeals the most to you, then give it a shot. If it doesn’t work, don’t stress. Simply try out another strategy and go again. Keep trying different strategies until you find one that works.

Stick with It

Finally, not everyone is able to quit on their first go around. You may be able to go a couple of days without a cigarette, until you just give in one day and have a smoke. Too many people in this situation then give up entirely and think quitting is impossible. Don’t let yourself get sucked into this thinking.

The key to giving up cigarettes is to keep at it. Even if you relapse and have a smoke, start a new strategy the next day. No matter what your brain is telling you, it is possible to quit if you just keep at it.

Hopefully this guide was able to give you some helpful tips on how you can give up cigarettes. If you’re starting to consider quitting, know that you’ve chosen a worthy goal and one that is obtainable. It won’t always be an easy road, but if you can implement the tips above, you can get there one day. So, start by writing down your reasons for quitting, get some people to help you out, find a strategy that works for you, then get to it. Before you know it the urge to smoke will be gone and you’ll be living a healthier and happier lifestyle.

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