Tips to Stop Smoking Today

If you are a smoker that has taken the decision to quit then you have taken an important step towards improving your health and your life expectancy. Nicotine is a powerful drug that over time causes changes in a smoker's brain making them need nicotine. If you are a regular smoker about to quit you need to appreciate this and the fact that it is difficult and may take time. You may need to change your habits, and you may need some help and tips to stop smoking.

Here then, are some quit smoking tips:

People who are fairly dependent on cigarettes need to incorporate multiple sources of help in their plan to quit in order to maximise their chances of success. In quitting therefore , you should have a plan of action worked out before the date when you actually stop smoking.

You should set a date in the near future when you will stop. If you tend to smoke more at the weekend it is better to choose a week day for quitting as you will be busier and less likely to succumb to temptation during the first few difficult withdrawal days.

You should identify any possible problems ahead of time and try to minimise them. If your partner smokes you might try and persuade him or her to give up with you. It will make it easier for both of you. If you have friends that smoke, advise them of your decision so that they can respect that.

You should consult your pharmacist and/or your doctor about medication to help you with the withdrawal period. Nicotine medications provide you with a safer alternative source of nicotine and in a lower concentration than cigarettes. They are therefore extremely useful in reducing you dependence on nicotine but there is a range of different types available and you will need advice as to which you should use. Some are available over the counter in the form of lozenges, sprays or chewing gum, whilst other stronger drugs are available only on prescription. It will likely depend on the amount you smoke and the length of time that you have smoked as to which of these will suit. If you are prescribed a drug such as Zyban you may need to start taking it a little while before your actual day of quitting.

Another tip is to get some support from professional health providers or local support groups. After quitting and getting through the first couple of weeks, staying off cigarettes is critical, - but not always easy. It is at this time you might need to talk with friends or attend group meetings to reinforce your resolve and to reassure you that you're not alone.

Other tips are to vary your daily routine in order to avoid times when you would have usually smoked. Each person's smoking behaviour is different, but if you usually have a cigarette after dinner in the evening you should try leaving the table and going to do something to take your mind off it.

At the weekend it's a great idea to take up some outdoor pursuit or sport as the fresh air and exercise decreases the need for nicotine, both by taking your mind away from it, and because exercise has a beneficial effect on the brain, causing release of feel-good chemicals. Man has evolved to walk and run about and not sit in one place all the time. Exercise has its own health benefits in terms of improving the heart and circulatory system so is well worth doing. It will make you feel better and forget smoking faster.

Remember these tips to help you give up smoking.

Robert Schwartz is an author and is passionate about helping others
quit smoking forever. He spends his time assisting people to give up
smoking. To learn more about how tips stop smoking visit http://www.giveupsmokinghelp.com