The benefits to quitting smoking go well beyond health. Money is not spent on cigarettes, clothes smell better, food tastes better, and in most cities, you don't have to go outside to smoke a cigarette anymore. Unfortunately, quitting is hard work. Some people are able to do it more easily than others, but most will agree it is one of the hardest things they have ever done.
Cold Turkey
Quitting cold turkey has worked for some people. Cold turkey refers to just stopping smoking, regardless of cravings that may occur. "Going cold turkey" means quitting without medication or smoking cessation aids.
Prescription Medication
Some doctors prescribe the antidepressant bupropion hydrochloride to individuals who want to quit smoking. This medication can be prescribed for those individuals who resort to smoking out of anxiety and can lessen the withdrawal symptoms. How this medication assists with lessening those symptoms is unknown, and it is only available in prescription form.
Nicotine Patch
There are several versions of the nicotine patch that assist in quitting smoking. The nicotine patch delivers doses of nicotine through the skin, which negates having to smoke a cigarette to receive the nicotine. The patch is usually used in steps, starting with the highest amount of nicotine, and gradually decreasing nicotine levels to curb withdrawal symptoms until the patch, and cigarettes, are no longer needed.
Chewing Gum
Many people find it hard to quit smoking cigarettes because of the oral fixation they develop while smoking. Chewing gum can be an excellent alternative to smoking cigarettes. Some people turn to food as an alternative, which is why many people tend to gain weight when they quit smoking, in addition to the metabolism slowing down because of the lack of nicotine.
Non-Idle Hands
For manual fixations (the need to do something with your hands) that have developed during your smoking habit, carry something around that is similar in structure to a cigarette, like a pen or a straw. These can be held in the same way you used to hold a cigarette, lessening the need to have a cigarette in your hands. Make sure any utensil you carry around is clean though, as former smokers have a penchant for chewing on their pens and pencils.
Schedule Change
Many people find it hard to quit because smoking was such a routine. You'd get in the car and smoke a cigarette. Right after lunch, you might smoke another cigarette. Changing your routine might help in quitting smoking. Have your car professionally cleaned so it's rid of the cigarette smell so it won't be the first thing you think of when you open your car door, and when you do, you won't want to smoke in a car that you just paid a bunch of money or spent a lot of time to clean and smell so great.
Decrease Gradually on Your Own
Some people set their own decrease plan. They start with however many cigarettes they smoke on day one, and cut it down by one or two, and decrease by that much each day or week until they are finally free of cigarettes. If this is the step for you, take it slowly, don't rush. You'll get to zero in no time.
Exercise
Starting an exercise regime could beneficial in helping quit smoking. Running is not as hard when you haven't picked up a few cigarettes that day. Also, setting goals for increasing exercise could also be a positive influence on quitting smoking. Research shows that people who exercise are twice as likely to quit smoking than those who do not. Research also shows that exercise may also reduce the effects of cravings.
Quit with a Friend
The craving to smoke can be contagious, and so can quitting. Quitting is easier if you don't have a friend asking if you want to go out and smoke a cigarette. It can also be easier if you find mutual things to do together besides smoking.
Support Groups
If your friends won't quit with you, find people who will. Some medications to quit smoking offer support groups free of charge with the prescription to increase your chances of quitting smoking successfully. Having people around you or having contact with people who are quitting smoking has shown to increase the possibility that you will successfully quit too.
