Certain actions have no consequences, right? Tragedy couldn’t happen to you. There’s no way you can quit, you’re too addicted. Well, think again. Yes, it’s an addiction. The nicotine causes adrenaline to be released in to your body each time you inhale, and, at the same time, it increases your blood pressure, respiration, heart rate and keeps your blood sugar levels constantly elevated. Wow, what great effects. Did you know that the calming effect you feel is actually a withdrawal symptom rather than a direct effect of the nicotine? Again - a withdrawal symptom.
Unfortunately, the alarming statistics and personal stories of others’ personal anguish aren’t going to make someone quit. You have to really want to do it. These tips have been proven to help you successfully quit.
Find Motivation to Quit Smoking
Your families, your Mum, your Dad, your partner, your kids, your grandkids, your brother or your sister want you to be around in the next few years. Harness the love you have for them, and put it toward quitting. Think about this too: second hand smoke causes cancer. If you smoke around them, you are not only endangering your life, but the lives of your loved ones.
Seek Advice and Help to Quiz Smoking
Many don’t want to rely on the help of others, and think they can kick this ugly habit alone. Don’t be afraid to employ the help of your doctors, your family, your friends; they want to see you kick this. Nicotine replacement therapy can help with cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Consult with your doctor on what is available in the way of nicotine patches, gums, sprays, etc.
Get a Lung Cat Scan
Yes, go to your doctor and ask to get a lung cat scan. You will be able to see the effects that smoking is having on your vital organs. This may be the kick that you need to quit.
Exercise to Quit Smoking
It may seem like you’re adding salt to a wound since you’re embarking on the hardest challenge of your life and are now being told that you should add physical exertion to it. However, a light cardiovascular workout for 30 minutes, 3-4 times a week will increase natural endorphins in your body and will also make you healthier.
Distract Yourself
Keep busy by either joining a gym or finding a new hobby.
Start a Savings Account with the Money you Save
As you begin to see the balance rise very quickly, you will appreciate having the extra money to spend on things that you need.
Reach Out to People Who Have Been There
Join quitting programs, forums or groups. They may not be walking in your shoes, but they can certainly guide you down the right path.
Nothing is that bad that you need to rely on cigarettes as a so-called stress reducer. Adding to your body’s demise is not a stress-reducer. Take this opportunity as the greatest challenge that you will ever embark upon and help others do the same. Yes, there are others out there just like you that want to quit, too. Be each other’s support group - and believe it or not, you will work off each other’s energy. Knowing that someone else is also quitting with you, you won’t want to disappoint them and won’t want to throw them off course either. Also, start blogging about it. You will be fascinated to see how quickly others just like you will join in the fight.
By thinking, ‘there’s no way I can do this’, you’re setting yourself up for failure. You can do this. As you research online to find solutions, statistics can bog you down. Don’t think of the odds. Think of how you’re going to quit and what you will gain. Nothing should have that much control over you. It takes 3 days for the nicotine to remove itself from the body - after that, it’s all mental.
Take each day, each minute as it comes. Don’t think what it will be like in a few days. Concentrate on that day, that minute. If you can go one minute, you can go one more. If you can go one hour, you can go one more. If you can go one day, you can go one more.
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