What Are Some Ideas to Stop Smoking?

Smoking is one of the most addicting vices and among the hardest to quit. Millions of people worldwide smoke, even though most know smoking is unhealthy. Cigarette smokers are up against two addictions: the oral habit and the addictive additive, nicotine. Get ready to quit, make it through the first few days and stay away from situations that may lead you to smoke again.

Before you quit

• Quiting is not easy so anyone trying to quit must be prepared not only to succeed, but also to fail. In order to increase the chances of succeeding, start by making a plan and setting goals. Don't quit cold turkey. Quitting cold turkey makes it easier to trick the mind into thinking one cigarette won't hurt if it's the first one in a week, or only one a day, etc. Instead, ease off the cigarettes and stop smoking in places that are normal smoking triggers, for instance outside a bar, in the car or on a back porch. Smoke two less cigarettes a day or set a day that's a week or two ahead to stop smoking completely.

  Make a list of things to do like go running or get a new hobby. Plan every day to avoid downtime for at least the first week. Remember if quiting doesn't work the first time, try, try again.

Oral Habit

• Putting a cigarette in and out of the mouth multiple times a day creates an oral habit, which is why so many people complain about gaining weight when they quit. Of course exercising can help distract the mind and cut down on the weight gain, but breaking the oral habit will also help.

  Stock up the fridge with fruit and vegetables, so if anyone is going to snack, it will at least be healthy foods. Keep a pile of mints on the desk at work to help curb that craving. Chew on a pencil, pretend to smoke a pencil, or try an electronic cigarette with no nicotine additive.

Nicotine Addiction

• Nicotine is an addictive drug and no mint or amount of pretend smoking is going to completely diminish the craving. Instead ask a family doctor for quit-smoking medication, which can help alleviate the anxiety and block the full extent of the cravings. If medication is not an option, there are patches, gums and lozenges that also help block the craving, although some light smokers can become dizzy and feel nauseous after using the patches.

  As an alternative, try deep breathing and meditation when a craving begins to hit. Taking the time to focus on the reasons to quit can help beat the craving, too. Remember: in order to win, take on one battle at a time.

What now?

• It's been a week or two since quitting and so far there haven't been many slip-ups. But this is only the beginning: becoming a non-smoker is a lifelong choice. Sure a cigarette on a warm afternoon on the patio would be nice, but that can lead to another cigarette and another. Keep in mind how hard it was to get to this point and ask if that cigarette is worth all the trouble of quitting again.

  So these kinds of moments don't happen frequently, try avoiding places that can trigger a craving, like at a bar or with a group of friends that smoke a lot. Avoiding alcohol in general is good, at least in the beginning, as alcohol lowers inhibitions and can trigger a relapse.

  Make a money jar and put the amount of money normally spent on cigarettes each day into the jar. At the end of the week, use that money to buy something nice as a reward.