Most people are well aware of the dangers associated with smoking, including increased risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer. Although millions of Americans smoke, the American Heart Association reports that the vast majority -- about 80 percent -- want to quit. However, most smokers find it very difficult to quit. Smoking is a combination of psychological habit and physical addiction to nicotine, and you must overcome both to stop smoking. Fortunately, millions of people have successfully quit smoking already, and positive thinking can be an important tool to help you quit, too.
Step 1
Remind yourself that you overcome the worst of your addiction to nicotine every night when you sleep. According to Damian O'Hara, president of a company promoting the "Easyway to Stop Smoking" method, 97 percent of the nicotine is out of your system after just six hours. Knowing that the nicotine addiction can be broken that quickly can help you think positive thoughts about your ability to quit.
Step 2
Use positive thinking to help you get through the craving for a cigarette. You can ease yourself through the brief minutes that a craving lasts, remaining positive that you can get through it. Focus on giving up one cigarette at a time -- each time you resist the craving, you are successful in your mission to quit.
Step 3
Avoid thinking about how hard or unpleasant it is to quit smoking, and focus on the positive instead. Quitting smoking is not a punishment; it is something good you are doing for yourself. Remain confident and optimistic about your progress, and remember that millions of people have quit smoking already.
Step 4
Start again right away if you slip up and have a cigarette. Keep a positive mindset even if you have a lapse in willpower, and remind yourself that one mistake doesn't mean you have to continue smoking.
Tips and Warnings
- Change your routines to make it easier to give up the smoking habit. Most people smoke at the same times each day, such as en route to work or after eating. Replace the cigarette with a better habit, such as listening to an interesting radio program while driving to distract you. Consult your doctor about using a nicotine replacement product or prescription medication to help you quit.
- Whenever possible, avoid situations that trigger you to smoke, such as drinking alcohol with friends, in the first weeks after you quit.
