If you’ve been smoking for a long time, you might be afraid that quitting is going to be close to impossible. Although it’s not usually easy to quit, most people can do so with determination, effort and knowledge of the best techniques. Read on for some information about ways to help you stop smoking.

If you have decided to stop smoking, mentally prepare yourself for what’s ahead. Try to focus on the fact that you can stop, and that this is not an impossible dream. Set an official “quit date” and even consider adding it to your calendar. By taking such a positive approach, your chances of quitting will increase.

Remember that quitting smoking is a day-by-day effort. Focus on giving up cigarettes for the day rather than for the rest of your life. A shorter timeline can make your journey more manageable, both physically and mentally. Once you are committed to short term quitting, thinking about the long term will be easier.

In order to succeed with your goal of quitting smoking, it’s important that you write down the benefits that are derived from quitting smoking. Some examples include living a longer life, feeling great, smelling better, saving money, etc. Lots of benefits are gained from eliminating smoking from your life. Writing them down can help to keep you motivated to succeed.

Don’t Go Cold Turkey
Do not quit cold turkey. It can be tempting to throw out your cigarettes and say, “I quit!” But cold turkey is not the way you want to go. Studies show that over ninety percent of people who try to quit smoking with no medication or therapy end up relapsing. The reason for this is because nicotine is addictive and your brain craves it. Without it, nicotine withdrawal symptoms set in.

Speak with a doctor if you are trying to stop smoking but are coming across difficulty. There are a growing number of medical aids, such as antidepressants, that can help you quit with much less discomfort. Your doctor will also put you in touch with support groups and other resources you can use.

To quit smoking for good, you’ll get better results by gradually weaning yourself than you would if you tried to quit cold turkey. Nearly all people that try to quit cold turkey fail as a result of nicotine withdrawal. Cut back slowly and steadily, and if the cravings are still too powerful then subsidize your efforts with medication or other tools.

One of the keys to quitting for good is avoiding the things that make you want to smoke. For instance, if your triggers include smoking while driving, the end of a meal or driving, try to find alternatives to the cigarette to replace them. Look for constructive activities and distractions, to occupy your mind during those periods.

See your doctor and ask him to recommend a stop smoking program or medication. Only five percent of people who attempt to stop cold turkey, with no help, succeed in their attempt to quit smoking. You need help to overcome the cravings and withdrawal symptoms that accompany any attempt to quit.

Thoroughly clean your home, car and wardrobe to get rid of the smell of smoke. Have your carpets and furniture cleaned, scrub your walls and wash any fabric window treatments you may have. This will make it so you aren’t reminded of smoking each time you come into your home, because it will have a clean, fresh smell.

You should commit fully in your effort to quit smoking. If you have failed before, you likely did not fully want to quit smoking. While quitting for the benefits is compelling enough, you should find better motivators to fuel your efforts. You will find yourself more successful in the long run.

You should make sure you have an appropriate reward system in place for such a difficult task. You will want to reward yourself for at least the first three days of quitting and the first two weeks. After that, monthly milestones are worth a celebration until you hit the annual mark. You can choose your reward based on the time elapsed as well, making success that much sweeter.

You can replace your smoking habit with positive coping habits instead. This means really looking inside yourself and examining your habits. If you smoke when you are stressed out, consider how you can diffuse the negative energy instead. Some people find solace in meditative and deep breathing exercises, but you can experiment with a variety of techniques to find one that suits you.

Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but it is possible. The strategies you just read can help you to quit with a minimum of pain or frustration. Pick a couple of strategies and start working on kicking your smoking habit today. Soon you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of being smoke-free.