Have you tried quitting smoking before but failed? Perhaps the methods you used were not adapted to your situation. You should go over this article to learn more about common mistakes smokers make when they try quitting.
Do not assume all your efforts are ruined if you cannot resist having one cigarette after weeks of efforts. You should expect your cravings to intensify a couple of hours after smoking since you just introduced new toxins into your system. You can reduce the amount of toxins produced by only smoking half a cigarette, working out or replacing the cigarette you crave by an alternative such an e-cigarette or some nicotine gum. Smoking one cigarette does not ruin your efforts, but it requires you to work harder to get back on the right track and focus on going for as long as possible without smoking again.
Do not attempt using a nicotine patch if you are not ready to manage your stress. Using a patch means you will receive small doses of nicotine throughout your day. The presence of small amounts of nicotine in your system will cause you to crave cigarettes but you will get very sick if you smoke. You will have to take the patch off and wait for two very stressful hours before you can smoke. This is a good product if you need a deterrent, but you need to be prepared for the stress you will experience. Look into stress management techniques, relaxation, meditation or even yoga. Learning how to keep your stress under control can actually help you quit smoking whether your use a patch or not.
E-cigarettes and nicotine gums are good alternatives to smoking, but you need to be careful when using these products. If you get into the habit of using these products to satisfy your nicotine cravings, you might become addicted to nicotine gums or to your e-cigarette. You can prevent this from happening by making an effort to gradually reduce your exposure to nicotine. You could for instance replace your nicotine gums with regular gum or use e-cigarette refills with a lower amount of nicotine.
Do not attempt quitting alone. You need to talk to your doctor about your desire to quit so you can get a professional opinion and some useful advice. Let your friends and family know you want to quit and let them know you need them to be supportive and understanding, even though you might go through some stressful days. Find a friend who wants to quit too and do it together if possible. You could also join a support group to share your experiences with other smokers who are struggling too. You could also get help from a personal coach if you have a hard time staying motivated.
Apply these tips if you are ready to quit smoking for good and adopt a healthier lifestyle. You should take all the time you need and keep trying until you become successful even if this process takes many months.