What Happens When You Quit Smoking
How To Quit Smoking
It has been said that an addiction to nicotine is stronger than being hooked on heroin. Perhaps that one reason why one of the most popular New Year's resolutions is to quit smoking. As a former smoker, I have first-hand knowledge of how hard it can be to kick the habit. Use any combination of the following methods to quit smoking for good.
Don't "quit". What? This method is all about your mindset. Instead of telling yourself that you can never smoke again, see how long you can go without a cigarette. That's exactly what I did, and so far it has been 14 years since I took my last puff. In this way I'm challenging myself instead of depriving myself.
Cold turkey. This can be hard to do, but it's the method that gets the nicotine out of your system the quickest. To do it right, throw out any cigarettes you have left in your pack and don't smoke again.
The opposite of going cold turkey is to try easing off. Determine how many cigarettes you smoke and how often. Then smoke one or two cigarettes less per day, and increase the time between each one.
Medication. This can take the form of a nicotine patch, gum, or a prescription. Going this route can help by changing how you get your fix of nicotine. Any change in your smoking habits is a chance to help yourself quit.
Whatever method you choose to quit, it can be a very difficult thing to do. As much as I would like to say it's easy to go it alone, it's not true. Take advantage of any additional support you can get and soon you will be able to breathe easy.
Don't "quit". What? This method is all about your mindset. Instead of telling yourself that you can never smoke again, see how long you can go without a cigarette. That's exactly what I did, and so far it has been 14 years since I took my last puff. In this way I'm challenging myself instead of depriving myself.
Cold turkey. This can be hard to do, but it's the method that gets the nicotine out of your system the quickest. To do it right, throw out any cigarettes you have left in your pack and don't smoke again.
The opposite of going cold turkey is to try easing off. Determine how many cigarettes you smoke and how often. Then smoke one or two cigarettes less per day, and increase the time between each one.
Medication. This can take the form of a nicotine patch, gum, or a prescription. Going this route can help by changing how you get your fix of nicotine. Any change in your smoking habits is a chance to help yourself quit.
Whatever method you choose to quit, it can be a very difficult thing to do. As much as I would like to say it's easy to go it alone, it's not true. Take advantage of any additional support you can get and soon you will be able to breathe easy.
