Advice to Quit Smoking

Nicotine is a highly addictive drug which makes it exceedingly difficult for many people to quit smoking. If you are trying to quit smoking, it is important to plan in advance and make use of all the resources you have at your disposal to help kick the habit.

Make a Plan

One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to quit smoking is not taking the time to draw up a specific plan of action. It is easy to say you are going to quit and perhaps to go without smoking for a day or two, but success is less likely when you are not committed to plan. In your plan you should set a definite date after which you will be smoke-free, and various milestones along the way. If you currently smoke heavily, it may be easier to cut back gradually rather than attempt to go cold turkey overnight. Using nicotine alternatives like nicotine gum or patches also can help you quit, and should be part of your plan. Another important part of a quitting plan is to prepare for withdrawal and how you will deal with it. Many people that try to quit smoking relapse when they begin feeling withdrawal symptoms, such as increased stress, moodiness and weight gain. Adding exercise to your quitting plan can be helpful as it will reduce weight gain and can reduce stress.

Get Help

When you are trying to quit smoking you don't have to go it alone. Family and friends should be used as a support group to assist you with quitting and who will hold you accountable to your quitting plan. After you draw up your plan, tell a close friend or family member about it and have them check up on your progress. You can even give them a copy of the plan. Having to answer to someone other than yourself will make it easier to resist smoking so as not to disappoint your friend or family member. If you have cravings to smoke, call a friend and have them reiterate why you wanted to quit in the first place. Smoking support groups also can be a useful resource for keeping yourself accountable and connected with others who are facing a similar struggle.

Make a Smoke Jar

Adding extra incentives to quit can help you stay true to your plan. Consider placing a "smoke jar" in the care of your friend or family member. Use the jar to save the money that you would have spent on cigarettes each day. Write in your plan that if you stay smoke-free for a certain number of days you will get to use the money in the jar toward a luxury you've always wanted but never had the extra cash to purchase. Have your friend promise to donate the money in the jar to a cause that you loath--such an organization supporting political views you don't agree with--if you fail to achieve your goals.