Take These 6 Actionable Steps To Successfully Stop Smoking

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When it comes to pushing through difficult tasks, quitting smoking comes top of the list. Smoking is addictive and can be hard to give up the longer you do it. If you or someone you know is a longtime smoker looking to give up the habit, this list has got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know to help you quit smoking successfully. Follow these 6 pro tips and start living your happiest and healthiest life today!

  1. Find the right motivation

The best way to quit smoking is to find the right reason and motivation. If you’re an addict, chances are you’re not going to be able to simply wake up one morning and quit. You’re going to need a concrete plan and solid motivation to help you quit the habit. 

Think long and hard about why you want to stop smoking before you start. Identify what you hate most about the habit, what you want to achieve without it, or why it’s holding you back. Whether you decide to quit for your loved ones, your health, or your wallet, you need to start somewhere.

  1. Find an approach that works for you

It takes a lot of hard work and planning to quit smoking. You need to do your research and look up all the different ways and techniques to stop smoking. There are plenty of different approaches from going cold turkey to weaning yourself off. From using nicotine replacement substances to hitting the gym.

You also need to be able to track your progress by how much ground you’ve covered. There are a few key stages to quitting smoking, so it’s important that you get acquainted with them to better track your progress. Create a basic plan and stick to it, take it one day at a time to quit smoking.

  1. Identify triggers and exit strategies

The trickiest part about quitting smoking is having to deal with all the temptation. The desire to smoke can come from many places besides a nicotine addiction, and they’re called triggers. The best way to overcome your tempting triggers is to identify and learn how to avoid them. 

Pay close attention to your smoking habits to identify your triggers. Make note of if you need a smoke with your morning coffee, after dinner, or when you drink. Once you’ve found your triggers, you can work on avoiding them, or substituting them with something else instead of a cigarette.

  1. Get a quit smoking aid

Going cold turkey is not the best approach for everyone. Some people who decide to quit nicotine altogether at once will last for a while, but can easily relapse and slip back into the habit. A good way to wean yourself off of smoking is to get a quit smoking aid or nicotine alternative.

From gums to patches to vapes to inhalers, there are plenty of nicotine alternatives out there to choose from. With nicotine alternatives, you can gradually lessen your dosage and quit more efficiently. Have a talk with your doctor about what would be best for you, to ease you out of smoking.

  1. Use the buddy system

If you’re starting your journey to quit smoking, the best thing you can do for yourself is to tell someone about it. Whether it be your friend, spouse, or coworker you need to vocalize your wishes to stop smoking to someone. Telling others helps hold you accountable because you’re no longer doing it for yourself, but for them too.

Another technique that can help is to use the buddy system when quitting. If you know another smoker who is planning on quitting, try to convince them to quit together. Having someone else who understands the struggle to lean on is a great motivator. 

  1. Use a reward system

Last but not least, another great way to motivate yourself to quit smoking is to use a reward system. Many people work better with positive reinforcement and stimulation when they quit smoking. To help keep yourself on track to quitting, treat or reward yourself every time you pass a milestone. You can buy yourself something nice, treat yourself to a nice dinner, or go somewhere for the weekend. To have a positive experience while quitting, try to reward instead of punishing yourself.

So there you have it! The journey to quitting smoking is a long and difficult one, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel! To quit smoking successfully, you have to start with the right motivation and approach. Identify your triggers and learn how to avoid or substitute them. Try a quit smoking aid to help soften the blow or try to use the buddy system or reward system. Follow these 6 tips, take things one day at a time, and keep pushing until you beat the habit!