Smoking tobacco is both psychological habit and physical addiction. Everyone knows risks to health caused by smoking then why smokers don’t give up smoking? The answer that comes to my mind is less or no awareness of effectiveness of stop smoking programs. Although it may be difficult for a smoker to kick his habit of smoking but the main reason why a smokers don’t use different smoking cessation programs because many smoking cessation programs like smoking cessation pills or other smoking cessation therapies may be out of budgetary limits of a smoker. Here I would like to share some information about different ways to stop smoking that will not be so expensive as well as easy to be adopted.
Personal Stop Smoking Plan
To optimize chances of your success, you need to be motivated, have social support and better understanding of what to expect and develop a personal stop smoking plan. Developing a personal stop smoking plan to your specific needs and desires will be a great source of help for you. Make a list of reasons why you need or want to quit smoking. Main reasons of quitting smoking will include:
- To become healthier and have more energy, fresher breath and whiter teeth
- Lower the risks of cancer, heart attacks, strokes, early death, skin wrinkling etc
- Save money
- Get respect and lost position in society
- Live stink free
You can motivate yourself to quit smoking by starting with:
- S: Set a date to start acting on your quitting plan
- T: Tell friends and family members about your plan to quit smoking
- A: Anticipate and plan for challenges that will come to you in quitting
- R: Remove cigarettes and other related products from your home, office, car and pocket
- T: Talk to your doctor and get his assistance in quitting smoking
Manage Cravings
You will feel dizzy or restless when you will not smoke or event have headache. Try to make you busy in different activities for few days and wait these cravings will not last after few days when your body will adjust. Try to stay active, keep your hands busy, keep your mind busy, try to get an oral substitute and drink plenty of water to deal with cravings and other symptoms of quitting smoking.
Get Support and Resources to Quit Smoking
There are different smoking cessation programs that have successfully helped people in giving up smoking habit. Most common methods of quitting smoking include:
- Quitting smoking cold turkey
- Systematically decreasing the number of cigarettes smoked in a day
- Reducing intake of nicotine gradually over time
- Nicotine replacement therapy or other non-nicotine medications to reduce cravings
- Taking assistance form nicotine support groups
- Trying hypnosis, acupuncture or counseling using cognitive behavioral techniques
Take Help from Family Members in Quitting Smoking
It is first and foremost necessity of acting on personal stop smoking plan to tell family members that you have decided to stop smoking. Get their support in your effort to give up smoking.
