Quit Smoking? How to

Stay Smoke Free

We have all met people who claim, "Quitting smoking is easy." They usually say this as they are puffing on a cigarette. Sure, it's easy to quit for an hour or a day, but it's the staying quit that's difficult.

Consider The Benefits

Perhaps 1 of the best motivators for staying away from cigarettes is knowing how it benefits you. According to the US Surgeon General's report, the benefits of quitting smoking start almost immediately, and accumulate the longer you refrain from smoking.

After just 20 minutes of non-smoking your blood pressure returns to normal. 8 hours later, the carbon dioxide has been eliminated from your system. During the first 3 months after quitting, your lung capacity increases by 30%. 1 year after quitting your risk of heart attack has become half that of a regular smoker. After 5 years your risk of stroke has normalized, and after 10 years your risk of lung cancer is half that of a regular smoker.

It's Never Too Late

These accumulated health benefits are the same no matter when you quit. Of course, if you quit when you are young, you have a much better chance of regaining normal health within a shorter time. But even if you quit when you are 60, your life expectancy will increase and your quality of living will improve.

Unfortunately, what is going to happen 10 years down the road often seems of little consequence when you have a spell of nicotine craving. The longer you refrain from smoking, though, the less often these cravings will occur. But smoking is more than just a physical addiction. It is also a behavioral habit. Long after the physical need for nicotine has been overcome, you may still feel the urge to smoke in certain situations.

Conquer The Behavior

Identifying the situations that cause you to reach for a cigarette will help you overcome the urge. If you know, for example, that you feel like smoking at parties, you may want to avoid them for a certain period of time until you've broken the habit. Likewise, if stressful situations make you want to smoke, learning healthier ways to deal with stress will help you stay smoke-free. Yoga, Tai Chi, and meditation are a few of the avenues to effective stress management that have helped many ex-smokers kick the habit for good.

Relapsed? Quit Again!

Despite all your best efforts, you may find that you have relapsed and gone back to smoking again. If this happens, don't be discouraged. Many people have to quit 4 or 5 times before they become smoke-free.

The most important thing is to stop smoking immediately. Even if you are in the middle of a cigarette, put it out and throw away the rest of the package. Don't get upset with yourself or believe that you have failed. Each time you renew your resolution to quit, it becomes stronger.

Get Moral Support

Try to find moral support from family and friends. If you feel like smoking, talk to somebody about it and let them know what you are going through. Some communities have support groups for people who are trying to quit. With regular meetings and contact with other members you can support each other with encouragement and advice. Some companies offer programs for employees who wish to quit. Take advantage of all of these services.

Remember, your commitment to quit smoking is beneficial not only to yourself, but also to your family, friends and associates. When you quit smoking, you quit subjecting them to second hand smoke.

Furthermore, you will become a role model to the smokers around you. Some day, one of them will come up to you and say, "How did you quit?"

Learn about the top-rated alternative Stop Smoking Programs:

Nicocure

Easy Quit Hypnosis

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