5 Realistic Tips to Help You Quit Smoking

How many times in the past have you told yourself and your loved ones, “Guess what, I’m going to quit smoking today.”  Several times, right? The reason you were unable to quit smoking in the past, was due to lack of commitment, as you may not have prepared yourself mentally and physically,  lack of motivation, or unrealistic expectations. So, if you are finally ready to kick that butt, read on.

Keep it real - Every smoker is aware of the health risks associated with smoking. This includes heart disease, various forms of cancer including lung cancer and several other grave health problems. The very first step to quit smoking is to be rational and become aware that these health problems are very real. Also, it is important to know that more than 4 million people die every year due to tobacco usage.

*Data Courtesy: David Johnson is an expert addiction therapist who mostly works with people who are addicted to tobacco and help them quit smoking for good.

Tell everyone - Tell all your friends and acquaintances that you have quit smoking for good and that there is no way you will continue this disgusting habit. You are most likely to smoke when you are out drinking with your friends, so try and avoid these trigger situations. Once you tell them that you are not going to smoke again, you are putting yourself in a situation where you will be embarassed if they catch you smoking again.

Cold Turkey - It is a bad idea to quit smoking suddenly, because when you quit cold turkey, it does not last for more than a few weeks. This occurs, because the brain craves tobacco and will show symptoms of withdrawal making your depressed and restless. So, if you are currently smoking a pack a day, you can cut it down to two or three cigrattes a day and stick to it. You could also toss each cigarette after four or five drags. Be determined not to light up another cigarette, after your ration for the day is over. Also, look for alternatives and replacements like electronic cigarettes, tobacco patches and chewing gums. In a couple of months you could easily be down to one cigarette a day and eventually free yourself from the shackles of nicotine.

You can do it - Although, the number of people getting addicted to smoking is increasing, there are also a good number of people who have successfully quit smoking. If they can do it, surely you can too.