How to Stop Smoking

Many people try to quit smoking with willpower alone, but it is much easier to go smoke-free with the right help. There are lots of support options available to help you on your quitting journey. You might want to consider the cost of different aids and the side effects. If you have tried to quit before, think about what methods worked for you and what you might want to do differently.

The key is not to give up, try different combinations until you find the one that works for you. Stay smoke-free for 28 days, and you are 5 times more likely to quit for good. With the right support, quitting is easier than you think. The sooner you quit, the sooner you will notice changes to your body and health. If you smoke, you might be more at risk of having high blood pressure.

If left untreated, high blood pressure can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. High blood pressure does not usually have any symptoms, so the only way to know if you have it, is to get a check. If your blood pressure is high, then it can be managed through lifestyle changes or medication. Quitting is not easy. If you have not already, throw away all your lighters, ashtrays, and cigarette packs.

Make it known to everybody that you are quitting smoking, your friends, colleagues, bosses, family members, and even your neighbors.

If you are afraid to tell because you think you will not succeed in quitting, think of it from another perspective: making your quit attempt known to everyone will prevent you from failing. List your quit buddies and form support groups. Include smoking buddies who are also thinking of quitting, and non-smoking friends who will support you. Save their numbers in your handphone and message or call them whenever you have the urge to smoke.

Put up “No Smoking” signs in visible areas to remind yourself of your new resolution. Constant visual reminders are powerful and can give you encouragement when your mind is wandering on other topics. You may experience withdrawal symptoms and you will almost certainly go through urges that are difficult to control. Understand what causes these cravings and withdrawal symptoms and have a plan ready for what you will do when this happens.

Prepare a “Rescue Kit” to distract you from cravings. Some items you can put in your kit includes sugar-free sweets, MP3 player, and handheld games to keep your mind distracted. Every time you feel the urge to light up, pop a sugar-free mint into your mouth or drink water to delay the urge. The cravings and withdrawal symptoms will pass whether you smoke or not.

Do deep breathing exercises to help you relax.

Concentrating on your body and your breathing is an effective way to get over cravings. Keeping your hands and mouth busy is often all you need to do to get over an urge to smoke. Nicotine in cigarettes is a powerful drug and can be as addictive as heroin and cocaine. However, not everyone will experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Approximately 20% of smokers will experience strong withdrawal symptoms.

But they often disappear after the first two to three weeks when the feeling of well-being starts to kick in. Withdrawal symptoms are usually worse in the first 48 hours and they are normal signs that your body is recovering from the harmful effects of smoking. Consider Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to relieve withdrawal symptoms. There are different types of NRT available.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for more information. No prescription is required. Build a strong mind to keep your motivation strong.