Best Way to Stop Smoking Cigarettes

Most smokers acknowledge the damage that smoking causes, but aren't able to quit because it is just too hard. Saving money, not smelling of smoke, hunting for a smoking area, and a revival of your taste buds are just some of the benefits of quitting smoking cigarettes. There are many harmful health effects of cigarette smoking, and quitting smoking ensures that conditions such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and high blood pressure are also not contributed to. Some say that the best way to quit smoking is to quit cold turkey. However you choose to do it, smoking is a strong addiction and any extra assistance goes a long way. Here are some pointers that may help you along the path of de-addiction.

How to Quit Smoking Cigarettes

Make a List: Among the ways to quit smoking cigarettes, the first step is usually to get inspired. You can do this by listing your reasons for quitting and writing them down on paper. Now paste this list in a prominent place where you can see it everyday or carry it around with you. Remembering your reasons to stop smoking and visualizing them will help you resist temptation. There are a myriad of benefits you could reap from quitting smoking, but list those that have meaning to you.

Face the Facts: Time for another list, however, this one has the reasons why quitting will be difficult. At this point, you may feel as though you are fighting a losing battle, but the objective is to be prepared. Try to also list ways to replace the need. For example, if you smoke because it helps you deal with stress, then you can find a new way of blowing off steam, like taking a five-minute walk.

Keep Track: If you've decided to stop smoking cigarettes cold turkey, good for you! However, if you plan to phase the smokes out of your life, then record your progress. Write down the date by when you plan to stop smoking completely on the first page. On the subsequent pages, record your daily progress as well as other details, such as when a craving struck. This will help you track your progress and you will not be able to fool yourself, about how much you are smoking.

Replacement: Once you know what specific times of the day or activities trigger your cravings, you can either try to minimize those situations or find replacement activities. Things you could do when you are craving a cigarette are: suck on a cinnamon-flavored toothpick, shell and eat some nuts, get a cup of coffee or tea, take a walk, chew a piece of gum, kiss your partner or child, brush your teeth, throw the ball for the dog, take a nap or practice deep breathing.

Other Remedies: Once your reach the point where you quit cigarettes completely, discard anything that will remind you of smoking. Chuck any leftover cigarettes, matches, lighters (even the one in your car), ashtrays, and cigarette holders. At times when you would have taken a cigarette break at work, either make phone call, play a game of solitaire on your computer or eat a piece of fruit. Another suggestion is to have one 1 milliliter of Avena sativa (oat) extract four times daily. A study has shown that this helps smokers decrease the number of cigarettes they smoke. Express how you feel instead of brooding with a cigarette.

There is no one best way to stop smoking cigarettes. Most likely a combination of these ideas will work for you. We advise you to let all those around you (family, friends and co workers) know that you are trying to quit, so that they can be as supportive as possible. Most people lapse a few times while trying to quit. Your long-term success depends on how you accept these setbacks. Learn from the relapses and without beating yourself up or indulging in too much guilt or self pity, get back on track.