Your spouse and children have been begging you to stop smoking. Your doctor wants the same from you. Your insurance company may even offer you a discount for quitting. So, what’s holding you back? If you’re a smoker, the time is right to quit. Read on to learn about some tactics to help you do it.
If you can’t do away with a craving altogether, try to at least hold out against it for as long as possible. Force yourself to complete some other chore, before you can have a cigarette. After you hold out for that extra little bit of time, you may find that you are able to defeat the craving after all. If you do end up smoking a cigarette, at least you will have smoked one less cigarette that day.
When you’ve made the decision that smoking is no longer for you, seek out a support group for help. It can be very beneficial to network with people who have been where you are, and understand the emotional and physical challenges that you’re going through. You will receive wonderful advice and support from these kinds of people as they have been in your shoes before. To locate a support group near you, check with churches, recreational centers, or community colleges in your area.
Plan on using exercise as you quit smoking, not just for the added health perks, but to distract yourself from the desire to smoke. Exercise can also act as a stress reliever. If you haven’t been exercising regularly, then start slow by taking a walk outside once every day or two. Ask your doctor in advance of beginning any exercise routine.
To avoid experiencing weight gain after you quit smoking, eat a healthy diet filled with fruits and vegetables. A sensible diet will help prevent any weight gain you might otherwise experience. Remember that your body is going to crave food when you quit and the best thing to do is give it healthy food to keep you in a healthy state of mind.
Kicking the smoking habit is rarely an easy feat, but will be well worth it in more ways than you can imagine. Hopefully, after reading the tips in this article you’re feeling slightly more confident about your ability to permanently ditch your smoking habit. Give at least one of the tips above a try today.
