Last Updated on 18th August 2021 by Charlie Walsh
One of the best things you can do when it comes to improving your health is to quit smoking. Stopping smoking can be a difficult so we thought we would take a look into tips and effective ways to give up smoking for good.
When it comes to breaking the cycle many of us will have our own methods but smoking can be a different type of beast all together. Given tobacco’s wide spread use and the amount of people who attempt to give up smoking on the rise, it isn’t hard to understand why there are so many different methods to giving up smoking all together.
The most important thing to understand is not every single method will work for you, that is why articles like this are so important when it comes to making positive changes towards healthier tomorrow. We give you all the tools you will need from a balanced and impartial view point. Having all the information you require to stop smoking is only the start of it. The task ahead of you is monumental and going into something like this unprepared would be a recipe for failure – but you are here! That says to us you mean business and are ready to take on the challenge.
What are the top tips to help you stop smoking for good?
1. Plan
Even for the most motivated person out there, planning is the most important stage in your journey. Stopping smoking is not easy so you will need to plan, step by step how you are going to achieve everything you set out to do.
Write down all the reasons you want to quit, from health to financial so you can remind yourself later. Pick a date and stick to it! It may be sensible to make sure you have no tobacco left in the house by the time you want to begin your journey to freedom.
2. Reward your progress
Smoking is not cheap! In fact most people who quit for good can save £100’s a month! Impressive right! Use that money to reward yourself for every milestone you successfully hit. So something small on day 1, week 1, month 1 and so on. As the time goes on you will save more money and eventually be able to reward yourself with something huge like a holiday abroad.
By rewarding yourself for every milestone you will begin the process of rewiring your brain to crave the reward from not smoking rather than the nicotine itself. Smoking will have become a habit by now so it’s about breaking this thought process moving forwards.
3. It takes two, baby!
Did you know that by quitting at the same time as friend you are a lot more likely to succeed? This gives you an instant support network and you will both understand exactly what you are going through! Have you considered discussing stopping smoking with a friend who smokes? Maybe they feel the same way?
Having a friend by your side during your journey to freedom will offer benefits beyond measure, especially if you are close to giving up. They have your best interests at heart and will be able to offer time and support (and vice versa) in your time of need.
4. Triggered
You will need to identify triggers, what makes you want a cigarette? Stress? Alcohol? A celebratory cig? Smoking may have been part of your life for a long time and we appreciate that but you will need to find different coping mechanisms moving forwards if you want to succeed. Not easy but totally do-able!
5. Occupy yourself
It might seem pretty obvious but try to find something that will occupy your mind and body. Pick a new hobby, learn a new skill or join a gym? Within a week you will already be feeling the benefit. Why not take it to the next level and really up your fitness levels! Instead of a cigarette – go for a walk, step by step, little by little and before you know it – you will have reprogrammed you brain into a new healthier regime full of fitness and happiness.
Exercise can go hand in hand with stopping smoking as ultimately both will do you the world of good. As you live your life smoke free, what used to make you feel breathless will become a walk in the park – quite literally! And that walk in the park could eventually become a 5k run for charity maybe? Exercise releases feel good chemicals which you will rely on later down the line, trust us!
6. Positive vibes
You will need a positive mental attitude, without one you stand little to no chance of success. Remind yourself why you stopped smoking in the first place and how far you have come if you are having an off day.
7. Nicotine replacement patches
Struggling to stick with it? Consider some form of nicotine replacement. It may be the difference between success and failure and if you need a little push to get you over the line short term for long term gains, well, why not? It is thought for a lot of people nicotine patches, or vape style pens were fundamental in their journey to becoming smoke free.
