On the way to Non smoking

You’ve finally come to the conclusion that you need to get smoking out of your life. It’s consumed too much of your time, energy, money, and health as it is. What started as something casual, something you could stop doing at any time, has become a full-blown addiction. It’s a hard habit to kick, but you can do it. You’ve been inundated with all of the public announcements that are trying to steer you in the right direction. You’ve lost people you love to diseases that are related to this major vice. Your friends and family are behind you one hundred percent when it comes to giving smoking the heave ho. Admitting it’s a problem and committing yourself to non-smoking is the first step. Take the following tips to make it happen.

Try Cold Turkey

Cold turkey, or simply giving up smoking without any assistance, works for some people. It’s the hardest way to go. You’re going to be faced with withdrawal symptoms and terrible cravings. If you decide to take this route, you are to be applauded for banishing cigarettes from your life without the use of other drugs to wean yourself off. You’ll need to get all of the cigarettes out of your house. You could even tell yourself that you are going to quit when your last pack is gone. Stock your cupboards with healthy foods because you’re going to want to eat. Consider having a stash of gum and hard candy. It’s good to keep your mouth busy when you are tempted to reach for that cigarette. Add exercise to your daily routine in order to stay occupied and burn off those urges when they hit. If cold turkey doesn’t work for you, don’t get discouraged. You are dealing with a highly addictive drug and it’s okay to need help.

Take Advantage of Products that Can Ease You Off Smoking

You can try various methods to help you gradually cut back on cigarettes until you finally stop. There are over the counter products, including patches, gum, and lozenges that contain nicotine. You are supposed to decrease the amount of use over time. You can also ask your doctor for a prescription strength alternative, including drugs that do not use nicotine and are supposed to re-wire your brain so you don’t need cigarettes any longer.

Give Electronic Cigarettes a Shot

You can always switch to electronic cigarettes. They feel and look similar to a cigarette, but you will not breathe in all of the toxins that come with traditional smoking. You won’t subject others to secondhand smoke either. E-cigarettes use liquid vapor that contains nicotine. You can start at a higher level of nicotine, cut back to a lower level, and finally switch to a liquid that contains no nicotine. Allowing yourself to indulge in artificial smoking could help you to get over the hump of that need for nicotine. However, be aware that information is scarce on any negative effects that come with electronic cigarettes.

Join a Support Group

There are many groups that come together in support of non-smoking. There is strength in numbers. When you surround yourself with positive influences, it can help you to remain motivated while you continue to walk a path that doesn’t include cigarettes. Share your experiences and take advice from others, finding methods that work best. You can put smoking behind you once and for all. It will take drive and determination. As an added incentive, place your former smoking money in a jar each week. See how quickly it adds up and then treat yourself to something special when you have finally put smoking behind you.