Three Tips to Help with Quitting Smoking

After 4 days without a cigarette going cold turkey, there are only a few things to say. First, quitting smoking is a two-fold approach. One is physical, dealing with the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal that can cause headaches, grumpiness, and a general feeling of wanting to strangle any person who dares try to bring sunshine into the overcast abyss from not having a delicious cancer stick. Overall, the physical cravings do not last that long, and this is traditionally what any type of medications are really aimed at treating.

The other aspect is the mental. For me, this is by far the hardest part to deal with. I make no qualms about it, I enjoy smoking. A lot. In times of boredom, restlessness, or when I have to wait for anything, a cigarette is the first thing that pops into my mind. Getting less attention from the available ‘help yourself quit’ medicines, this is the major obstacle when quitting. It is the path that so many have taken, and begins to crumble with the proverbial ‘just one cigarette. Soon you’re bumming smokes off your friends a few times a day, and then you feel bad for mooching, and buy your own pack to pay them back. Suddenly, it’s two months later and your back to smoking half a pack a day (or more).

So in light of this, I will share a few tips that I am using to keep myself away from cigarettes. Keep in mind of course, everyone is different, it helps to find out what works best for you, and sometimes yes, it is a trial and error approach. I’ve never been a big fan of medicines, I’m more of a stubborn will power guy. This obviously shows up in how I approach the severing this nicotine tie, mostly for the sake of my wallet.

1.       Don’t say quit

I tend to say that I’m taking a break, stopping, or actually just not saying anything to anyone at all. It puts less pressure on you, and helps keep an ease about what you’re doing. Besides, if you slip up, which everyone who smokes and has tried to ‘quit’ has done, there is a considerably lower amount of self-loathing over your ‘failure’. When your normal smoking cohorts ask you to go smoke one, just say not right now.

2.       Mantra, Mantra, Mantra

Cravings and thoughts will persist. Period. So you should have yourself a mantra, a magic chant, a prayer, or however you would like to phrase it. Words have power, even solely in thought form. Constantly saying, ‘Man, I really want a smoke’ will make the cravings more intense and keep you dwelling on them. Mine is simple, ‘I’m not a smoker anymore’. Every time I think of having one, I follow it up with that statement.  Find one for yourself, and use it faithfully. You may end up saying it 50 to 100 times a day, but the more you say it, the more it becomes solidified in your psyche.

3.       Prepare for the weak spots

Everyone has different times when cigarettes will be missed the most. For some, it’s their morning coffee, others having drinks at a bar. You know when you are going to crave a smoke the most, so get prepared. Again, this is the will power part. Rely on the mantra, prepare some other way to handle the craving, and smile. After all, you are stopping for a reason, and should be happy that you are willing to make an attempt.