Posts Tagged ‘stop smoking plan’

Top Five Tips to Quit Smoking

November 17th, 2009

While you are contemplating ways to quit smoking, remember that you are not alone and then realize why it’s so hard for you to quit smoking – there is a physiological basis and a psychological basis to your addiction.

While there is no wonder cure to stop smoking cigarettes, here are the top five tips to quit smoking:

Prepare Yourself to Quit

Be sure that you make a stop smoking plan customized to your personal needs. If you usually smoke while sitting in front of the TV, for example, then plan other activities to occupy yourself when you would usually be watching TV. Set a date and tell your family and friends that you plan to quit. Understand the challenges that you will face on that date and beyond, get rid of all tobacco related items from you home, car, and work place prior to your quit date.

Research Methods for Quitting

Investigate methods such as nicotine replacement therapy (nicotine patches, lozenges, inhalers, nasal spray and gum) and non-nicotine medications that come in pill form to see which smoking cessation methods may be right for you. Look into alternate treatments for nicotine addiction such as natural treatments that utilize stop smoking herbs.

Learn to Manage your Cravings

Some methods to keep your mind off of cigarettes include getting active by exercising, distracting yourself with crossword puzzles or other things that make you focus on something else, chewing gum, nibbling on carrots, learning to relax find a calm space where your are comfortable, and avoiding situations that trigger the cigarette craving (such as a bar).

Get Support for Quitting Smoking

Find a local support group. You can find a Nicotine Anonymous group near you, call a telephone help line like 1-800-QUIT-NOW, take a smoke-free workshop or call the American Cancer Society near you for a list of resources.

Prepare to Relapse

If you do relapse, understand that it is normal in the process of trying to kick your nicotine addiction. You should examine what happened right before you started smoking again, identify the triggers or trouble spots that confronted you, and make a new stop-smoking plan that removes them.

These top five tips to quit smoking are not the only solutions. You may find other alternatives that will help you to stop smoking for good. Keep trying. Check out our Editor’s Choice stop smoking product.

6 Ways to Stop Smoking

November 17th, 2009

While there is no easy way to stop smoking, the following methods will help you beat your nicotine addiction. Many people like you think they should quit smoking cigarettes but find it too difficult. The reason for this is because there is a physiological basis of nicotine addictions (physical) as well as a psychological basis of nicotine addiction.

Following is a list of the easiest ways to stop smoking. Use one or more of these methods to cure your nicotine addiction.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Nicotine replacement therapy consists of products such as nicotine patches, gum, inhalers and nasal sprays. These stop smoking aids deliver a dose of nicotine with the aim of helping you gradually kick the habit of smoking while you progressively use less nicotine. While using nicotine replacement therapy is an easy way to stop smoking cigarettes, it is common to form an addiction to the nicotine substitute so you have to be careful while using them.

Prescription Stop Smoking Drugs

Often referred to “stop smoking drugs”, these prescription medications are designed to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Stop smoking drugs such as Chantix and Zyban work to “undo” the part of your brain that has become rewired by nicotine. While this sounds great, quitting is not guaranteed. In a recent study only 44% participants quit while using Chantix as opposed to 30% who quit by using Zyban. Learn more about the benefits, costs, and side effects of stop smoking drugs.

Herbal Stop Smoking Products

Herbal stop smoking products offer an all natural alternative to nicotine replacement therapy and prescription stop smoking drugs. Some herbs create an effect on the brain that is similar to nicotine but are non-addictive, while other stop smoking herbs help the body to deal with the other symptoms of quitting, such as irritability and the “quitters flu”.

Cutting Down Gradually

Another way to stop smoking is by gradually lowering the amount of cigarettes smoked each day – for example cut down from 10 to 7 cigarettes a day or less. You can also delay having a cigarette after a meal or when ever else you feel like smoking. One very important thing to do is make certain that your final quit date is no more than two weeks after your start.

Stop Smoking Plan

While a few lucky smokers can quit smoking cigarettes by going cold turkey, most people require a more complicated way to stop smoking. A solid stop smoking plan will include a quit date, the help of your family and friends, the understanding of the challenges that you will face on that date and beyond, getting rid of all tobacco related items from your home, car, and work place, and speaking to a doctor about treatment for nicotine addiction.

Other Ways to Stop Smoking

There are several other ways to stop smoking that don’t involve nicotine replacement therapy or prescribed medication. These include hypnosis, acupuncture, behavioral therapy, and nicotine vaccination.

Finding the easiest ways to stop smoking can be a personal choice. You may react differently to these methods than someone else. Do your research and you may find the answer that solves your nicotine addiction.

Stop Smoking Plan

November 16th, 2009

Every year, millions of individuals try to stop smoking. Unfortunately, most of them fail. Why? While there are many reasons for failure, one of the most common problems is the failure to create a stop smoking plan. Without a solid plan, you severely limit your chances of quitting smoking once and for all.

Think about it—when you set a goal at work, you come up with a plan to accomplish it. It’s the same thing with trying to stop smoking. You have to create a stop smoking plan if you want to reach your ultimate goal. That way, you have benchmarks written down to guide you through each day of this challenge.

Dr. Oz Stop Smoking Plan

Since his appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Oz’s stop smoking plan has become the most popular plan of its kind. His plan consists of a few basic principles.

    Take the Addiction Self Exam
    Print a Sheet with a Pledge for the Date You’ll Stop Smoking
    Walk for 30 Minutes a Day
    Talk to Your Doctor
    Be Ready for Your First Tobacco Free Day
    Avoid Relapse
    Relieve Anxiety Healthily
    Get Support

Free Stop Smoking Plan

Visit the American Cancer Society website for free information on making a stop smoking plan. Also read our articles about free stop smoking aids and free stop smoking programs. Groups like Nicotine Anonymous will help you make a stop smoking plan for free. Look at the church bulletin boards for other groups that could assist you with your stop smoking plan.

How to Make a Stop Smoking Plan

So, are you ready to create that plan to kick the habit once and for all? It’s not hard at all. Here’s what you need to do to make a stop smoking plan:

  • First, you have to decide to quit. This sounds simple enough, but you really need to be serious in your decision if you want to stick with it.
  • Then, you should set a date to quit smoking by. While you don’t want to set an unrealistic goal, you also don’t want to make it so far away that you talk yourself out of it by the time the day rolls around.
  • Plan for your first tobacco-free day. It’s going to be a rough one, but if you’re ready for the challenge, you’ll have an easier time getting through it.
  • Tell your friends and family about the goal. A little support can go a long way toward your quitting.
  • You also need to get rid of any smoking related materials. Ashtrays, old cigarette packs, lighters, and other paraphernalia can cause you to slip up. Get rid of the temptations!
  • Lastly, simply remember this is a long-term battle. Stay confident, and be ready to face those hard days head-on.

Make your stop smoking plan today!