3 Simple Steps to Stop Smoking
Many people who would like to stop smoking tend to confuse “challenging” with “complicated” While it might not be without challenges, quitting tobacco is relatively simple. Breaking free takes three steps:
1. Acknowledge the reality of the problem
If you deny that there is a problem, you cannot be helped. That goes for any form of addiction, whether it be drugs, alcohol, or nicotine.
If you deny that it is a problem, or causing problems, your mind will fail to acknowledge the need to quit. As such, any attempt to stop smoking is likely to result in failure.
The nature of the “problem” differs from one person to the next. For one person it could be the cost, while the next person could be concerned about the effect of second hand smoke on his or her family. Regardless of the nature of the problem, acknowledging it is the first step to success.
2. Decide WHY you want to do it
Regardless of what the reason is WHY you want to stop smoking, it has to be a good one. It should not be something that you will deem less important (than a cigarette) whenever cravings come around.
As such, don’t fool yourself into thinking that you will be successful at quitting smoking because someone else wants you to quit. Don’t even consider doing it unless you really want to do it yourself. It is ok to do it because of someone else’s health that you care about, but the decision has to be YOURS.
It is YOUR life, YOUR health, YOUR future…and YOUR withdrawal cravings that you will have to fight. It is YOUR choice.
3. Find a mechanism/method that suits YOU
When deciding how you are going to quit smoking, or what product you will use to help you through the withdrawal, be sure to choose something that YOU feel comfortable with. Yes, do consider the advice of others – by all means – but at the end of the day YOU have to live with the choice, as well as the risk of failure if it is a poor choice.
As such, pick something that you feel comfortable with – it will vastly improve you chances of success.
After making that final choice, it is just a matter of commitment. There are many junk “quit smoking” products out there, but there are a few good ones too. The good ones will help you through the worst of the withdrawal process, and help you succeed – as long as you do not go back on your decision.
