How Can I Quit Smoking?

Congratulations to yourself first. The mere act of reading this article is a major step towards freedom from tobacco. Many people do not quit smoking because they think it is too hard. They think they will quit in the future.

That's true, for most smokers it's not easy to quit. After all, the nicotine in cigarettes is a highly addictive substance. But with the right approach, you can overcome the nagging urge to smoke. If you have tried but cannot quit smoking, contact the Philadelphia Quit Smoking Center.

Smokers may have started smoking because their friends did it or because it seemed "cool". But they continue to smoke because they are addicted to nicotine, one of the chemicals in both cigarettes and chewing or sniffing tobacco.

Nicotine is both a stimulant and a depressant. This means that it initially increases the heart rate and makes people feel more alert (like caffeine, another stimulant). It later leads to depression and fatigue, both of which, along with nicotine withdrawal, make people have a burning desire to get another cigarette to encourage themselves again. According to many experts, the nicotine in tobacco is just as addictive as cocaine or heroin.

But do not be discouraged; Millions of Americans have permanently stopped smoking. The following strategies can also help you break this habit:

Put it in writing. People who want to make a change in their lives are often more successful when they write it. So write down all the reasons why you want to quit, like the money you save or the stamina you get for playing sports. Put the list in a place where you can see it and add new reasons when they appear for you.

Seek support. People whose friends and family help them quit smoking are much more likely to succeed. If you do not want to tell your parents or relatives that you smoke, make sure your friends know about it, and consider asking a counselor or other trusted adult for help.

And if you've been having a hard time finding people to support you (if, for example, all your friends are smoking and none of them are interested in quitting or quitting), it might be good for you to join a support group, either in person or connected to the Internet.

Enter a date to quit smoking. Choose a day when you quit smoking. Tell your friends (and your family if they know you smoke) that you are quitting that day. Think of the day as the dividing line between your smoking self and the new and improved non-smoking self. Mark it in the calendar.

Throw away your cigarettes - all your cigarettes. No one can stop smoking cigarettes around them. Even throw the emergency kit you kept in the secret pocket of your backpack. Get rid of your ashtrays and lighters.

Wash all your clothes well. Remove the smell of tobacco from your clothing as much as possible by washing it thoroughly and taking thick sweaters, coats, and jackets that require it to clean. If you smoke in your car, you should also wash it.

Think about your triggers. You are probably aware of the situations where you tend to smoke the most, e.g. After eating while at your best friend's house while having coffee or while driving. These situations are your triggers for smoking behavior; it is automatic to have a cigarette in your hand when you are in them. Once you've figured out what your triggers are, try the following tips:

Avoid these situations. For example, if you smoke while driving, ask someone to drive you to your school or go for a walk or take the bus for a few weeks. If you normally smoke after eating, plan to do something else at the time, such as reading or calling a friend.

Change location. If you and your friends usually smoke in restaurants or buy cooked food and eat it in the car, you can suggest that you sit in the non-smoking section next time or eat the food cooked somewhere other than the car.

Replace something else with cigarettes. It can take a long time to get used to the feeling of having nothing in your hand or mouth. If you have this problem, turn to carrot sticks, sugar-free chewing gum, coins, toothpicks, or even lollipops or lollipops.