Want to Quit Smoking? Don’t Go ‘Cold Turkey’!

60% of smokers want to quit.  Yet only about 6-7% are able to do it.

Majority of smokers try to go “cold turkey” when quitting hoping that willpower alone is enough.

If you’re determined to quit, you need to take the time to prepare a smoking cessation plan that is most likely to work for you.

Here are some of the lifestyle changes and most effective products and methods that are known to help  quit smoking:

Adopt the right mindset

To quit smoking, you to have to battle both mental and physical challenges.

In fact, for most smokers, mental barriers are the hardest to conquer.

Many people use smoking as a form of self-medication. As a way to relieve stress or take their mind off their worries.

Just thinking about quitting can stir up some uncomfortable feelings for most smokers.

For this reason, you should start by adopting a positive mindset and begin telling yourself you can quit before you even try.

If you don’t tell yourself you’re able to quit, and really believe it, it’s hard to make it become a reality.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)

Nicotine replacement therapy is one of the most effective ways people are able to quit smoking.

NRT products are medications that provide a small amount of nicotine. Nicotine is the main addictive chemical in cigarettes that causes cravings and withdrawal symptoms when quitting.

By replacing that chemical without the hundreds of other harmful chemicals found in cigarettes, you are effectively giving your body the feeling that you’re still smoking without the harm.

NRT products are available in a wide range of forms. The most common types are patches that stick into the skin, chewing gum, tablets, inhalers, and nasal sprays.

It’s advisable to speak with your GP to find out which type of NRT product is best for you.

Change your habits

Smoking is a habit. Much like any habit, the more things you do to make that habit more difficult, the easier it is to break the habit.

For most people, this means not putting themselves in social situations where others are smoking. As well as distancing themselves from things that remind them of smoking, changing their diet, and several other lifestyle changes.

If you used to smoke at certain times of the day, make sure you’re doing something at those times to keep your mind and hands busy.

No one will ever tell you it’s going to be easy. If you have to make some major lifestyle changes, that’s what you’re going to have to do.

Don’t do it alone

Along with quitting cold turkey, trying to go it alone is also one of the main reasons why so many people fail at their attempt to quit smoking.

There are a lot of support groups for quitting smoking. Many are backed by the government and large charities, so there is no shortage of help and resources.

If you can find a friend or family member who has also been considering quitting, even better. Join up with them and hold each other accountable.

Whatever number of sacrifices and smoking cessation techniques you have to use, just keep the end goal in mind.

When you quit, you’re going to feel like a new person both physically and mentally.