This is a sponsored guest post.
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “quitters never win.” But in regard to smoking, quitters most certainly win.
While quitting can be seen as an easy cop-out in many situations, quitting smoking is a long and difficult task. But with the right attitude, motivation, and focus, you can do it! Quitting allows you to start over and to participate in events and activities you previously may not have been able to. You are also doing one of the best things possible for your own health and the health of your family.
Giving up smoking is hard, but with the advice below on how to tackle leaving behind that nicotine addiction for good, you’ll be taking steps in the right direction, and it will be worth it!
- Avoid Getting Caught up in Past Attempts
If you’ve tried quitting before and it hasn’t worked, that doesn’t mean this time will be a failure. You need to look forward and remind yourself that slip-ups are okay. Being stuck in a failure-like mentality will make quitting harder! And if you do fail this time around, that’s okay. Try and try again.
- Clean Your House
Cleaning your house is a step forward in ensuring success this time around. Throwing out all ashtrays, lighters, and cartons of cigarettes will help you avoid temptation.
In addition to this, consider cleaning carpets and clothes and any other material that may hold the all-too-familiar smell of smoke. Some websites, such as https://getlistedrealty.com/get-smoke-smell-out-of-your-house/, offer great advice on how to ensure a clean, fresh smell in your home, which will help avoid the urge to light up.
- It’s okay to Utilize Tools and Outside Help
You don’t have to do this cold-turkey or alone. Leaning on loved ones for support will help you focus and have consistent motivation. In addition to this, consider different types of replacement. Often, nicotine withdrawal can cause uncomfortable changes such as headaches and mood swings. To avoid this, it is okay to try nicotine gum or patches to help ease the struggle and make the process more gradual. It can often be easier to take one step at a time to quit, rather than completely leaping off the cliff cold turkey.
- Find Your Reason and Don’t Lose Sight of It
Motivation can play a huge role in quitting. A personalized, powerful reason to quit, such as wanting to avoid getting lung cancer or protecting your children from second-hand smoke, can fuel your goals and outweigh any temptations or urges. You have full control.
- Prepare Yourself
Do your research. Know what you’re getting into. Line up support systems in advance and ask your doctor about what method for quitting will be best for you; knowing and being aware of what will work best for you will help prepare you for the struggle ahead.
- Find Other Ways to Relax
More often than not, you smoke to relax. Nicotine sends signals to your brain that tell your body to breathe and not stress. Once you quit, you’ll need to find different ways to get that same relaxation. Things such as walking, massages, and pedicures can really help avoid turning back to cigarettes.
- Do Your Best to Avoid Other Triggers
You don’t want to replace bad habits with other bad habits. Drinking alcohol to avoid smoking, for example, only enhances your chances of relapse. Start creating other, healthier habits, such as chewing gum when you would usually sit down for a smoke.
- Get Out of Your House
Withdrawal symptoms are the most difficult part about quitting—so change your mentality and distract yourself. Mild exercise has been proven to ease some cravings, and you get to burn some calories while you’re at it. Changing scenery, going for a jog, or even simply walking your dog can help distract you from the struggles of withdrawal.
- Change up Your Diet
While dieting may be a difficult task to consistently stick to while quitting, you can ensure that your body is not deprived of what it needs; consuming more fruits, veggies, and proteins are good for your body and will leave you feeling full, possibly helping you avoid starting other unhealthy habits, such as drinking or binging on junk food.
- Reward Yourself
Kicking any habit is difficult, so make sure to reward yourself when you successfully meet a goal. Smoke-free for one day? Treat yourself to a desert. Smoke-free for a week? Go to the movies. Smoke-free for a month? Take the money you would have spent on cigarettes and reward yourself for a job well done.
Overall:
Quitting can be hard. But with the right tools, support system, mind-set and preparation, you can do it! Just take it one day at a time, or one hour at a time if that’s what you need. Focus. Be prepared. And know that you can kick this habit for good!
