If you have made the New Year's resolution to quit smoking, well done. Here are some tips that helped me quit and stay quit for the last 6 years. You have probably heard them all before as a library could be filled with quit smoking advice, but hopefully I have weeded out the rubbish and found the tips that actually help.
It Is Not As Scary As You Think
Give this some serious thought. When you are hanging for a smoke, how bad is it really? There is a popular myth about the cravings being worse than the craving for heroin; trust me, from personal experience (19 years clean), it is not.
When you quit smoking you will not have seizures, cramps, possible heart failure. You will not need a medical detox facility (unless your Doctor says you do; there may be medical exceptions). In reality, if you are completely honest with yourself, the withdrawals are no worse than the discomfort of a common cold.
Use Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Patches, Nicotine Gum, Lozenges, Inhalers, these are like God's gift to the quitter. Sure they are addictive but don't worry about that. They are far, far less harmful than tobacco smoking, cheaper, and you can use them anywhere.
- Prior to quitting get into the habit of delaying the first cigarette: If you always light up with your morning coffee, try going without a smoke for one cup of coffee. How hard is that? Try waiting till after your morning shower if you usually smoke before it. You get the idea. Make up delays to suit your own situation. Smokers are used to instant gratification, try delaying it.
- Don't tell the world you are quitting:“Good for you”, they say - and it creates pressure. You are doing this for you because you are worth it. You deserve it. You will find that keeping it to yourself gives you a mental edge and a feeling of well being.
- Don't be too concerned if all you can think about is cigarettes: This is natural; the main problem for the smoker centers in the mind. Hence the reason so many go back to smoking long after the nicotine withdrawal phase. Accept the thoughts as part of the quitting process. These will pass. One day you will be driving to work and realize you haven't thought about a cigarette all morning. Later you will be driving home and realize you haven't thought of smoking all day…then the days turn into weeks etc.
- Do it one day at a time: One minute at a time if you have to. You can put up with anything for a minute. When you have successfully made it through the minute, do another one.
Whatever You Do, Do Not Contemplate Your Life Without Cigarettes
This is most important. If you try to imagine never lighting up again, at the football, at parties, with drinks, it becomes unbearable! You are only quitting for this one day, hour or minute whatever the case may be.
When you go to bed at night remember you are getting 8 hours (or however many you sleep) free of charge.
Allow yourself to feel like Superman. You have gotten through a whole day, one minute, hour at a time. Smile, then do the same thing tomorrow.
