subject: Quit Smoking: 9 Tips To Help You Kick The Habit [print this page] Kicking the habit is a difficult taskKicking the habit is a difficult task. To be successful you have to be committed to quitting and you have to plan ahead. Here are nine tips to help you quit successfully
1. Support
The first tip to help you quit is to find a support group. This is extremely important for the first week or two . With the right support from friends and family members who are committed to helping you succeed you can make the first week after quitting much easier. It can spell the difference between succeeding in this particular attempt to stop smoking and relapsing back into the old pattern. You can also find support online in various groups and forums.
2. Preparing for Cravings
The second tip that can mean the difference between being a non smoker and continuing the habit is preparing for the cravings you will have ahead of time. Go to the grocery store and stock up on vegetables that you can grab whenever you have a craving. Small carrots and celery make a great low calorie snack that will keep you from gaining excess weight after quitting and can help to get you through the cravings. Make sure to eat a healthy diet to minimize the withdrawal symptoms and keep your energy up.
3. Exercise
By starting a habit of exercising you will not only help to change your view of yourself from a smoker to someone who cares about their health but you will also speed up the withdrawal process and help to improve your mood. Exercise is one of the best things you can do during the first weeks because it helps to reinforce your commitment to your health. It also helps remove the toxins and nicotine from your body.
4. Drink Plenty of Water
Water is the most vital thing to our survival besides air. You should drink plenty of water every day, but most people dont. When you quit smoking it becomes all the more important because your body is struggling to wash impurities out of your body and its main avenue for doing that is with water. Make sure to drink a glass of water every couple of hours to stay hydrated and to help reduce cravings.
5. Take Vitamins
Smoking cigarettes robs your body of vital nutrients. When you quit smoking the lack of these vitamins and minerals can dramatically increase the intensity of urges and cravings. By taking a multivitamin every day you can help your body get through the toughest first weeks and allow your body to acclimate to a life without cigarettes.
6. Plan Your Days
During the first few weeks after kicking the habit you will find you have a lot of time on your hands. Your mind will wander to smoking and you will have many cravings triggered by your environment. To help counteract these you should plan your days ahead of time. Be sure to schedule many tasks and a lot of busy work to keep you occupied. Doing this will help to keep your mind busy and off of smoking.
7. Practice Calming Techniques
I am not suggesting you take up meditation here, although it isnt a bad idea. I am suggesting that you start practicing a couple of calming techniques that can get you through the really strong urges and keep you on an even keel when your emotions get away from you. Counting slowly from ten works well, as does taking a few deep breaths. They dont have to be complicated. Find what works for you and use it when you are feeling out of control.
8. Intermittent Rewards
Motivation to do anything in life tends to wane with time. To help counteract this effect and keep you committed to the goal I suggest giving yourself intermittent rewards. Having something to look forward to, a specific aim, can help you stay on track. Having rewards for following through will help to condition you to choose the right decision when cravings arise.
9. Get Plenty of Rest
The final tip I have for you is that you get plenty of rest. You should be getting at least eight hours of sleep a night. Your body is going through major changes and needs the extra rest to function properly. Make sure not to sabotage your success by staying up late watching television. If you are committed to succeeding you will need to get to bed early and give your body time to recuperate.
