Quitting smoking can be a difficult process. If you've been smoking for a long time, you may find that in addition to suffering from nicotine withdrawal, you may also miss the ritual of smoking, particularly during times of stress. Following a few smoking cessation tips can help make the path to becoming a non-smoker a little smoother.
Find a Replacement
An important part of smoking is the feeling of having a cigarette between your fingers and in your mouth. Try using replacements to replicate the feeling. The American Cancer Society recommends holding a pencil, coin or marble and eating celery, cinnamon sticks or sugarless gum, or chewing on a toothpick or a straw. If the first thing you do when your pour yourself a cup of coffee or alcohol is reach for a cigarette, you may want to find new beverages to drink while you are trying to stop smoking.
Avoid Temptation
When you first give up smoking, it may be easier to stay strong if you temporarily stay away from other smokers and situations in which you would normally smoke. If you usually spend your break at work smoking outside with your friends, you may need to spend your break with other non-smokers or at your work station. Thinking about social situations that may tempt you and developing a plan to avoid these temptations can help you avoid falling back into smoking.
Develop a Strong Support System
Surround yourself with people who will encourage your plan to stop smoking. HelpGuide.org recommends finding another smoker who wants to quit to act as your buddy during the process. When cravings are strong, you and your buddy can help encourage each other not to light up a cigarette.
Try New Activities
Resisting cravings is hard work that may make you feel frustrated at times. Exercise provides a good outlet for your frustrations. Walking, swimming, running or playing sports can help you overcome cravings. Exercise is also helpful in avoiding a weight gain after quitting smoking, according to the American Cancer Society. Taking up new hobbies can give you something to do with your hands and take your mind off smoking.
Use a Nicotine Replacement System
The nicotine in cigarettes is what causes withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine replacement therapy helps smokers focus on breaking the addiction to nicotine and makes it easier to learn coping skills and new behaviors, according to HelpGuide.org. Nicotine patches or gums provide you with small doses of nicotine that can make withdrawal symptoms less severe. Nicotine replacement systems gradually reduce the amount of nicotine you receive until you are able to wean yourself off the nicotine replacement system.
