You already know how important it is to quit smoking. Surely people have been telling you about that ever since you started. And if you’ve ever tried to quit, then you also know how difficult it is.
Today, though, you’re here to learn something you don’t know, namely, how to quit smoking. And, although quitting is never easy, there are lots of methods you can use to make it easier.
Best of all, we’ve assembled the most effective methods to quit smoking in the shortlist below. Rid your life of this unhealthy habit once and for all with these steps.
1. Mark Your Calendar
Giving up smoking is no willy-nilly undertaking. You’re attempting to break a very powerful addiction here. It’s time to get serious and make it official.
Start by marking “quitting day” on your calendar. Choose a day in the near future. This gives you enough time to prepare but not enough time to change your mind.
2. Make a Plan
Next, come up with your preferred plan and write it down. For example, are you weening yourself off of cigarettes or quitting cold turkey?
Write down the terms of your plan so there’s no room for relapse. Make it a tight schedule so it feels “normal” and becomes a habit.
3. Use NRT
It’s up to you whether you want to completely cut your body off from nicotine all at once. But that means incurring the full force of the massively intense nicotine withdrawals you will experience. Most smokers find that this makes quitting more difficult than is necessary.
Alternatively, there are plenty of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) options you can use to wean off of smoking. These include nicotine patches, nicotine gum, and vaping liquids like Vampire Vape Juice. NRT is a far healthier way to consume nicotine while you quit—many ways, actually.
Thus, another choice to make is whether you even want to quit nicotine along with smoking. However, choosing to continue NRT indefinitely might be problematic when trying to quit smoking. That is, continuing your nicotine habit could increase the temptation to smoke again.
4. Know and Avoid Your Triggers
Right now, make a list of all the times you would typically smoke throughout your week. In addition to your smoke breaks at work, include how you might smoke if you were on vacation. Also, record any emotional/circumstantial triggers that pressure you to light up.
This way, you can prepare for these smoking opportunities and triggers before they happen. For example, if your boss allows smoking breaks, surely he/she is reasonable enough to allow an alternative break while you quit. While everyone else goes out to smoke, see if your boss will let you have a few minutes to play Angry Birds on your phone to avoid temptation.
You see the point here. For every one of your triggers, come up with a substitute activity with which to replace smoking.
Use These Methods to Quit Smoking
Don’t just read about these methods to quit smoking. Apply them! Bookmark this guide, use it as a checklist, and then enjoy the benefits of quitting smoking.
For more information about overcoming an addiction, read our guide on choosing a rehab. Or, you can further improve your health by learning how to build lean muscle. Find all these topics and more on our Health blog.
