How to Stop Smoking

[TheTabbyCat]

Quitting smoking is not an easy task, but it is doable and with time invested, it can become easy to maintain a smoke-free lifestyle. I know that is hard to believe if you're still smoking, but with education and support, it can be the truth for you, just as it has been for others who have quit smoking successfully.

Education is key. When you know what to expect when it gets tough, you can create a plan to weather the challenges.

The lessons below will help you with that education. They're filled with information on the topics you care most about when you quit. There's plenty of quit stories from real life ex-smokers, too.

Soak it all in, and stop in at the Smoking Cessation support forum for 24/7 help and camaraderie from people at all stages of smoking cessation.

1

Why Do You Want to Quit Smoking?

While you might think the answer to this question is a no-brainer, the reasons we smoke, and the reasons we want to stop are personal and often complex.

This lesson will help you identify and detail this important starting point with smoking cessation.

2

How to Build Strong Quit Muscles

It's not enough just to stub out your last cigarette and declare you are finished. Most of us have tried that approach to no avail.

Learn what you need to do to build a quit program that has staying power. You can be successful with the right information and support.

3

The Benefits of Smoking Cessation

You might be surprised to learn how many facets of your life will be positively affected when you stop smoking.

Read what other ex-smokers have to say about quitting smoking and the benefits they've experienced.

4

The Health Risks of Smoking

We all know that smoking kills, but most smokers actively avoid looking too closely at news and research about the health effects of tobacco use. To do so would make smoking even more uncomfortable than it already is.

However, once you quit smoking, this kind of information will help you build a strong foundation for staying with cessation, so read up on everything you can find about what science is learning regarding tobacco use.

5

Quit Aids

Will you go cold turkey or use one of the many quit aids available to you? There is no shame in using a product, even one with nicotine, to help you stop smoking. Cold turkey works well for some, but it's not for everyone.

Review the choices and then have a discussion with your doctor about which quit method might work best for you.

6

Preparing for the Big Day

From picking a quit date to gathering food supplies to clearing your house and car of smoking paraphernalia, there is a lot you can do to prepare for the day you quit smoking.

Preparation will help you wrap your mind around the commitment you've made, and make the transition to being smoke-free more comfortable.

7

The Ups and Downs of Nicotine Withdrawal

No one has ever said that withdrawal from nicotine is easy. However, it is survivable, and with some tips on how to navigate the ups and downs, you might be surprised at just how manageable this temporary phase of smoking cessation is.

8

Stress Management and Weight Control

Two of the most common complaints with new ex-smokers has to do with the urge to eat, and how to manage stress without lighting up.

Both are valid concerns, since cigarettes were our go-to answer for both issues when we smoked.

Believe in Your Ability to Quit Smoking Permanently

It can be hard to believe that the day will ever come when you don't think about smoking when you wake up, after a meal, etc., but it will. Be patient with yourself and stick with cessation for as long as it takes for you to heal. It's worth every ounce of effort you give it and then some.

You. Can. Do. This.