Trying to figure out how to stop smoking can be a difficult and frustrating process. It can take as long as several years and attempts, or you could have success on the first try.
The amount of time it takes though isn't really important. What is important is that you have a plan and a goal to quit. Your plan should include ways to curb your urges to smoke. What are the things that trigger a desire to smoke? If you know what those things are then you should devise specific plans to either avoid them or fight the urge. Here are some tips at creating a willpower plan.
Tip 1. Figure out the times in the day when you typically smoke. For example, after meals, after a jog around the block, or even after your shower each morning. Knowing when you typically smoke will put you in a good position to create a plan to combat the urge.
Tip 2. Plan your attack. Think of some ways to distract your hands and your mouth. Keep them both busy. If you really enjoy the taste and feeling of a clean mouth you could try brushing your teeth each time you want to smoke, or suck on a mint flavored candy, which will freshen your breath.
Tip 3. Avoid temptations. If you go out to eat, make sure you are sitting in the no smoking area. Avoid going into tobacco stores or the places where you buy cigarettes, and also try to limit the amount of time you spend with smokers. If you are continuously around cigarettes, it will be much harder to resist temptation.
Tip 4. Clean your house of all smoking related items. This includes your ashtrays, lighters and matches. Try to get the smell of smoke out of your home. Products like Febreeze are great for helping to get rid of cigarette smell, which can also trigger an urge to smoke.
Tip 5. If you have a place where you typically smoke when you are at home, think about rearranging the area. Breaking up your daily routines will help you resist temptation much better. This works best if you always are in the habit of smoking in the exact same place, such as a living room looking out a window. If you move the chair to a different area of the room, or refocus the center of the room then you can help to avoid the temptation to smoke whenever you are sitting in the chair looking out the window.
Tip 6. Write it down. This may seem like a minor detail but in reality, it can go a very long way towards ensuring that you keep your priority to quit smoking at the top of your agenda. If you just tell yourself that you want to quit smoking, you are more likely to cheat and ultimately give into the urge to light up again. If you have written your goal down, you are going to be more likely to actually follow it. This goes for quitting smoking, losing weight, changing your exercise routine or anything else. Written down goals can improve accountability significantly.
Tip 7. Never doubt yourself. If you are truly ready to stop smoking and believe that you will be successful, you will be much stronger when those urges to light up kick in. If you do have a set back, it is OK. Do not give up and do not dwell on it. You can succeed. One cigarette or a minor set back is not failure. You have a plan with a goal. Focus on your goal in the long term. The important thing for your body and self esteem is that you do quit. It doesn't matter how many tries it takes or how long.
