Here Are 7 Things You Can Do To Make It More Likely You’ll Successfully Quit Smoking for Good
Quitting smoking can be hard, but there are ways to make it easier. With plenty of tips available to help people quit smoking, only you can decide which ones are most likely to help you succeed. The benefits of not smoking are important enough that it's worth trying any tips at your disposal to make a smoke-free life a reality.
Ready to get started? Tap into some of these tips and you're more likely to enjoy a smoke-free life:
- Identify your why – One of the strongest motivators when making any lifestyle change is to know why you want to do it. Each person's reason may be different and what's most important is that your reason motivates you to keep trying. Some people quit to improve their health. Others want to look or feel younger, protect their family from secondhand smoke or save money.
- Prepare for handling withdrawal symptoms – Smoking is an addiction, so it helps to have a plan in place to help you get through the withdrawal. Some people use medication to help with nicotine withdrawal. You may also benefit from counseling, support groups or hypnosis.
- Ask for help – Although it's up to you and you alone to quit smoking, being able to lean on family, friends and coworkers for support can help you keep going. Tell people close to you that you are trying to quit and ask for their support and encouragement.
- Get rid of smoking reminders – Not only should you toss any cigarettes so you're not tempted to smoke but get rid of lighters, ashtrays and anything else you associate with smoking. Also, clean your house, car and clothes to get rid of the smell so it's not a reminder of your old habit.
- Avoid triggers – If you're used to smoking in certain situations, try to avoid them when you first quit. For example, some people like to smoke when they drink alcohol or coffee, so think about laying off those habits for a bit or enjoying them in places that don't allow smoking. If you like to smoke after a meal, brush your teeth, chew some gum or take a walk instead.
- Find new ways to relax – Many people smoke because it helps them relax, so find new ways to unwind. Start a new exercise routine, schedule a massage, try a new hobby or connect with friends. Finding things to do with your hands when you're stressed may help get you out of the habit of picking up a cigarette.
- Plan a reward – It can be motivating to reward yourself for achieving a goal and quitting smoking is no exception. Think about all the money you'll be saving by not smoking and plan something special for yourself with some of the savings, such as a trip, new clothes or a fun outing.
It may take more than one attempt before you quit smoking for good. If you slip up, think about why it happened and make a plan for how you'll address those challenges the next time you quit. Then set a new quit date and get yourself motivated to try again!
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Date Last Reviewed: September 23, 2024
Editorial Review: Andrea Cohen, Editorial Director, Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Contact Editor
Medical Review: Perry Pitkow, MD
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