There are various reasons why someone decides to quit smoking, it may be one reason or a combination of several, whichever it is, once the decision has been made you need to have a plan to help you through what can be a very difficult time.
The most important thing to realize is that to have any chance of succeeding, you really do need to want to quit smoking. This may seem a strange piece of advice, but a lot of people who try to quit and fail, have made the decision halfheartedly, because they feel that they should stop, or because a loved one has persuaded them to try. Unless you really want to stop smoking, you are doomed to failure.
Part of the problem faced by a potential non-smoker is the fact that they not only miss the nicotine, but they miss the actual act of smoking. For instance, you have a cup of coffee and a cigarette, take away the cigarette and there is something missing. If you are a person who has to have a cigarette before you can function first thing in the morning, you need to find another way to get motivated.
So it is important to find ways to reward yourself as you are giving up what for you has been an enjoyable habit. Lets assume that you really want to quit smoking, you know that it’s harming your health, your budget, your complexion and making your clothes and breath smell foul. First find a way to replace the nicotine which your body will be craving. There are several ways to do this, including nicotine patches, chewing gum, placebo cigarettes and more. It would be a good idea to seek the advice of your doctor on the most up to date methods, there may possibly be some help with the cost, depending on your location.
One satisfying way of giving your self a reward, is to set aside the money which you have not spent on smoking, save it up and buy yourself something that you will enjoy. Make it a tangible memento of your achievement. There are other more subtle rewards which you will notice as you continue to be a non smoker. Your food will taste and smell better, you will notice the scent of flowers, maybe for the first time in years, you will be less breathless.
One word of warning, be prepared for a deeply unpleasant, hacking cough, with the nasty result of phlegm, which you will need to spit out. This is your body’s way of clearing all the residue of your habit from your lungs, it is normal and will stop, if you are concerned, check with your doctor.
Now is not the time to be taking on stressful projects, give your body time to adjust to its new nicotine free environment, be gentle with yourself until the day comes when you find for the first time that the smell of tobacco smoke is truly offensive to you. You will then know that you have successfully quit smoking.