Quit smoking this New Year with these simple tips

Philaso G. Kaping
New Year is here and so is the time to work on your resolution to quit smoking. Dont be disheartened if you are struggling to kick the butt, you are not alone in this uphill battle. In fact, it is among the top five New Years resolutions people make each year which means there are many people out there just like you. First of all, you will have to deal with the addiction and the habits that go along with it - so start with a realistic plan to see you through this challenge.

1. Plan ahead
A reason or reasons motivated you to make this decision. What you need to do to succeed is to reinforce this motivation with a strong will-power. Go through your planner and choose a stress-free month to quit.

2. Form a support group
The first few weeks will be difficult as you will be going through withdrawal symptoms. Enlist the help of your family, friends, and co-workers. They can be a source of strength and encouragement during this period. You can also try joining a support group.

3. Remove temptations
You need to identity the triggers that make you smoke. Try to avoid the situations where you end up smoking and minimise your time hanging out with other smokers. Remove cigarettes and smoking tools and paraphernalia from your surroundings.

4. Stay active
Physical activity can keep you busy whenever you feel the urge to light up a cigarette. Head to the gym or park for a workout if find yourself with too much free time.

5. Consult an expert
You can engage a behavioural therapist to help you quit smoking or see a doctor for prescription medications to ease nicotine withdrawal.

6. Nicotine replacement therapy
This method helps you to gradually ease off smoking through the administration of nicotine to the body through products like nicotine patch, nicotine lozenges, and nicotine gum.

7. Do not give up
Like all addictions, quitting smoking is not easy. You need to persevere and stop finding excuses to smoke again. Even if you relapse, use it as an opportunity to strengthen your commitment and try harder.

Why Should I Quit Smoking

Make a List of Reasons Why You Want to Quit Smoking

Most people who smoke wish they didnt. They live with a hatred for the habit. The fear of serious illness is usually there too, lurking in the background, and always that awful feeling of being powerless to quit. Addiction does that to a person.

As smokers, we live in denial about what cigarettes are doing to us. We have to. Yes, we know that smoking causes cancer and emphysema - we know smoking kills and that were playing roulette with our health...our lives.

For all that we worry though, most of us dont think anything will happen to us - we have time! Well quit in time... The bad stuff happens to other people.
Right?

Keeping that layer of denial in place between ourselves and the harsh realities of smoking gets harder to do the longer we smoke. For most of us, there comes a time when the "smokescreen" starts to wear thin. Its inevitable.

The fact that youre reading this article means youre thinking about quitting - probably a lot. Youre unhappy enough to be seeking out some help. Good for you. Youre a step ahead of the game because youre looking for information about how to quit smoking.

Be practical in your approach to smoking cessation. Much of the process of release from this addiction comes down to plain old practice. We taught ourselves to smoke one day at a time until it was interwoven into just about every activity in our lives. It only makes sense then that we should allow ourselves the time to retrain old habits into newer, healthier ones. Arm yourself with knowledge and support, and be patient. Youll grow stronger by the day.

Start your quit smoking program with a list of reasons for quitting. We all have them.
Why do you want to quit smoking?
My own 26 year addiction turned me into a person I didnt much like.

I was fearful that a smoking-related disease would catch up with me before I found a way to quit smoking. I was worried sick, so to speak.

I hated the smokers cough I had developed and the shortness of breath that I knew was a signal of lung damage.

I hated the smell, the embarrassment and the need. I especially resented the need. Nicotine dependency made me feel weak and helpless.

These were some of the first things I put on my own list of reasons, and it didnt take me long to add a long line of other things I hated about smoking as well.

What are the reasons behind your desire to quit smoking? Get out some paper and a pen, and list them out. Every single thing you can think of, from the largest, most obvious, to the smallest. Write them all. Carry that list around with you, and add to it when something else comes to mind. Think about the pros and cons of smoking as you compose your list.

By focusing your thoughts on your own personal reasons for quitting, you are laying the foundation for successful smoking cessation. It all starts in your mind, and once you get your thoughts moving in the right direction, taking action will come more easily.

Its like a snowball rolling downhill. Channel your thoughts onto that sheet of paper, and youll begin to gain momentum. Once you start that snowball rolling, youll be amazed at what youll be able to do to change your life for the better. Make it happen!

"If you want to change your life, change your mind."

From Terry Martin,
Your Guide to Smoking Cessation.