Effective Ways of How to Quit Smoking!

When you decide to quit smoking everyone will tell you that there is no easy way out. However, when you speak with people who have successfully quit smoking, they will often tell you that it was simple. Most smokers who have quit will often say that they tried many times before - but failed. They all went back to smoking after only a few days, weeks or months. But it was just that one time they stopped without much trouble, and never started again. So what made it easy that time?

Most smokers want to stop and if there was a magic method or supplement that worked for everybody, there would probably only be a couple of smokers left in the world. So it's pretty clear that whatever methods may be suggested, they do not work for all of the people who try them, every time. No matter what recommended method you use, you must “really” want to quit smoking.

Finding the easy way is often just a matter of doing it at the right time. This “timing it right” means that instead of deciding you will quit tomorrow, or next week, or on January 1st, you should act any time when you feel a strong desire to quit. This strong desire enhances the commitment you make to yourself to finally quit smoking once and for all.

The intense desire to quit may arrive when you are sick, when your kid says something to you that makes you feel ashamed, or just one day for no apparent reason. It might be right now. It will not just be a vague wish that you didn't smoke, but something much more intense, a real emotional motive.

For most people “timing it right” is what makes it simple to quit when it never was easy before, they simply did it at the right moment. You have probably had these times in the past and ignored them. This time, do not merely brush off the moment and attempt to forget it, but take action on it. When you recognize the time is right – stop immediately.

Your motivation may still go up and down but be sure that you will make it through. You need to keep on thinking positively. Remind yourself how great it is to be a non-smoker. After a few days, you will find it is easier to sit through a long movie or plane journey without getting anxious and wishing for the end so that you could smoke. Be aware of how much more enjoyable your life is getting, and remind yourself of it often.

Smokers wishing to stop who take advantage of quit smoking aids like nicotine replacement, hypnosis, therapy or support groups are much more successful then those who try to quit on their own. It may be that their willingness to spend money on these things is a sign of higher commitment. Normally, if you make the commitment to spend money to assist you in “kicking the habit” you will acquire a much higher desire and motivation to stop. At this point you are not only spending money on cigarettes but also on products and aids to help you quit.

Most people have activities that remind them of smoking. It is in your best interest to avoid these activities for a couple of weeks. If you drink alcohol, it is a good idea to give it up temporarily, not only because you probably associate it with smoking, but because your motivation will be much lower when you have had a couple of drinks. You may also need to avoid certain places or even certain friends. Make a list of people, activities, and places that could possibly remind you to smoke or at least lower your will power to quit smoking. Keep referring back to this list daily, and make a conscious effort to avoid all on the list until you are confident you have finally quit and can no longer be tempted.

In addition, in order to avoid thinking about smoking you should avoid places, especially your home, where you will be alone with nothing to do. Quitting smoking can be somewhat like losing a friend so you will grieve, you need to try to occupy your mind, your hands and your time. Take up a hobby that involves using your hands, such as woodworking or quilting, or make a list of things that need fixing around the house and do them one by one. Stay as busy as you can at all times during this initial period, by doing so you will spend less time thinking about having a smoke and thus be less tempted to smoke.

In many cases, abstinence of smoking causes cravings – not only to smoke but cravings to over eat. Try drinking a small glass of water every time you have a craving, it is a great way to avoid over eating. Moreover, cravings may cause frustration which can then lead to anger. If you have a lot of anger coming out and you are taking it out on your friends and family, do not use that as an excuse to give up your resolve. Your irritability is only temporary. In the end, the simplest way to quit smoking is any way that works for you but mostly when you do it at the right time. (Press Ctrl-D to Bookmark this article for future reference)