phreedom.us

Ok, so I am not a licensed professional in this field, but I smoked cigarettes for many years (20+) and managed to quit over 8 years ago, by myself, and stay quit, so I figure I do know something about it. I am not here to preach to you about why you shouldn’t smoke. Everyone is aware that there are many reasons to not smoke. If you are reading this, you likely have your own reasons for wanting to quit. If you just sort of want to quit smoking, forget it, it won’t work. You have to really want it and make your plans with every intention of succeeding. If that is you, let’s get started.

You should actually write your list of reasons for quiting well ahead of time on a small piece of paper that you can fold or cut to fit in your pocket. A 3×5 index card folded in half works well. When you get the urge to smoke, it’s easy to forget why you wanted to quit in the first place. Make your list and keep it with you until you no longer need it. Every time you feel that urge, review your list again. Attach a picture of a loved one, or someone that inspires you, if that appeals to you. You might need your list for a few weeks, or you might need it for a few years.

Also on your paper you should write the date you will quit smoking. Set the date out a couple of weeks or more so you can get used to the idea and make appropriate preparations. My plan was to taper off as the day approached. That didn’t quite work out. I found myself smoking more and more like I was trying to stock up for lean times. And maybe that worked just as well–I was sick of smoking even more.

This is the most important point of all: Smoking is a two part addiction. There is the addiction to nicotine, and there is the habit. Both are strong, and they will team up on you. You need to handle them each in turn and NOT both at once. For every person that brags about quiting “cold turkey” there are many more that fail to stay quit that way.

Handle the habit first. Not having a smoke in your hand first thing in the morning, or while driving, or at coffee break, or after a meal, or whenever you are used to it, takes a lot of will power. Break that habit first by maintaining your nicotine intake with gum or the patch or even both at the worst of times. (Be careful not to over do it.) It will still be a test, but doing it this way makes it much easier. It took me several weeks before I stopped thinking about reaching for my cigarettes in those most key moments. But after a while you can begin to picture yourself as an ex-smoker.

Then, when you are ready, you can begin weaning yourself from the nicotine. Chewing gum or some small candies or mints can help with this. If you move too fast and can’t handle the craving, chew a reduced amount of the nicotine gum, or use a lesser dosage of the patch, whatever it takes you to not pick up another cigarette.

There are many video and audio subliminal or hypnosis tools that can help you along the way. Use these as often as you need. These don’t cost that much when you compare it to the cost of smoking. If your mind is made up to quit, do everything in your power to stick to it. I have never met an ex-smoker that regretted quiting. Picture yourself in 30 years as a smoker, and then as a non-smoker. Which is more appealing? Which would have more time, more money, and more fun?

My own motivations for quiting were many. Among the most important reasons to me: the example I was setting for my kids, the cost and health effects, and the simple fact that it wasn’t something I enjoyed–rather it was something that hurt when I didn’t do it. It was simply an addiction and that offended me. I hated being addicted. I was feeling used by cigarettes and that is a very wrong thing that I couldn’t stand for any more. I had to prove to me that I was in charge and not a slave to some chemical.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites