10 Tips To Successful Quitting

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1. Manage Your Stress Levels - anxiety and stress are some of the more common reasons why people smoke.  Nicotine in cigarettes helps them relax.  Learning to manage stress levels (eg. by listening to relaxing music, taking up yoga/meditation, exercising or going for a massage or spa therapy) can help reduce the urge to smoke.

If you've successfully quit smoking, the feelings that prompted you to smoke in the past are likely to still be part of your life.  So you'll have to learn healthier techniques for dealing with these stressful situations that would normally have you pick up that cigarette.

2. Managing Cravings Associated With Meals - if you have the habit of lighting up after every meal, try the following: replace the moment after the meal with something else, such as a piece of fruit, desert, coffee with chocolate etc.  Turn this into your new ritual.

3. Alcohol & Smoking - many have the habit of smoking when drinking alcohol.  Try sitting inside bars and restaurants where smoking is prohibited.  Snack on some nuts or chew on a toothpick or straw instead.

4. Exercise - join an exercise program and keep physically active. When you feel the urge to pick up a cigarette, put on your jogging shoes or hop on your bicycle instead.

5. Keep your hands busy - replace the urge to hold a cigarette with a pen, "stress ball" etc.

6. Chew on mints, nuts, gum etc.

7. Don't Do It Alone - tell your family and friends that you intend to quit and get their support and encouragement.  Speak to a counselor or join a smokers support group.  You may also want to consider behavioural therapy or psychotherapy.

8. Speak to your doctor about Nicotine replacement products or medication which can help you quit.

9. Start afresh - once you've smoked your last stick, throw out all your lighters and ashtrays.  Give your house, car and clothes a good clean to rid them of the smell of cigarette smoke.  Use air fresheners to make your home/car smell nice and fresh.  Go to the dentist and have your teeth (yellowed from the years of smoking) whitened.

10. Choose Your Reward - Use the money you've saved from not buying cigarettes to reward yourself.

The article above is meant to provide general information and does not replace a doctor's consultation. 
Please see your doctor for professional advice.