Trying to quit smoking can be daunting. Smoking is an addiction. Its easy for non smokers to say you should never have started, but you are reading this so you already know that. “How do I stop?” That is the question. On a recent survey it indicated that it takes 5 full hearted attempts before a dedicated person actually stops smoking. There are many pitfalls along the way. Staying focused is the way to achieve your goal

You need to set up a game-plan and stick by it. The chances are you have tried it and failed but did you follow both your physical and psychological needs?

Lets go through the process……

1) Set a memorable date for quitting, such as birthday, 1st of the month, etc. Tell all your friends and family. throw your ashtrays in the bin. Avoid temptation areas such as public bars until you get over the initial fear of going without a cigarette.

2) Use a crutch to starve off the nicotine cravings. Sipping at water instead of having a drag can often help. Use chewing gum to distract you from the thought of having a cigarette. Quitting smoking is not easy but you know this so you need to do something that blocks out the thought process of having a smoke.

3) Diet has been known to affect your cravings for a cigarette. Try to avoid fatty foods and increase your intake of fruit and vegetables. Alcohol can lessen your will power. If you must drink try to do it in a non smoking environment.

4) You are quitting smoking for health reasons, amongst others. Use this new found motivation to develop a new exercise routine. Its good for both body and soul.

5) You need a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA). Visualise yourself as a non smoker. Imagine your life’s vitality coming back. Try to avoid any stressful situations in the meantime and rust remember to maintain focus on your goals.

6) Persevere with your aim. You will have low times. You will have urges just to have the one cigarette. If you give into these urges you will just become another statistic, another person who failed to quit. Ultimately, It’s up to you.

The mind is a complex muscle. Learn to use it to its maximum potential. They are many methods to quit your addiction. Many are educational or physical but the key to overcoming any addiction is to breakdown the psychological process.

Psychotherapy is possibly the most effective method to eradicating an addiction. It works from the inside out. If you would like to know how.

Tags: quit, health, quit smoking, science