How to quit smoking

Quitting smoking can be a nightmare, but there are many things one can do to make it easier. In this article, I will give you a rundown of things you can do to make it easier to quit. I smoked for 18 years before I finally quit. Nicorette didn't help, Nicoderm didn't help, and nicotine lozenges didn't help. So, I did some research of the best tricks to help you get through the first 21 days (21 days to break a habit or make a new one!), and I've listed those tricks below. Good luck!

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Cinnamon sticks
• Water bottle
• Relaxation tape
• Hot tea
• Simply sleep, Tylenol PM, or a similar non-habit-forming sleep aid

1. Cinnamon sticks were my saving grace when I quit smoking. You can chew on them or suck on them and they help get you through those times when you just want something in your mouth. Bonus is that it makes your breath smell nice!
2. It has been proven that filling up on water triggers some of the same satisfaction receptors that smoking does (read this in an American Cancer Society publication). So keep a water bottle nearby and hydrate all day long. A "squirt type" water bottle or a straw in the water bottle may also help with some of the oral urges.
3. Hot tea is great as a replacement for coffee if the taste of coffee triggers a desire to smoke. Change up your routine and it will really help with those urges. Also, a nice hot cup of tea in the evening can help stave off urges and create a new, healthier habit!
4. During the first week or so of quitting smoking, you may find that you have trouble falling asleep. I found that a mild over-the-counter sleep aid such as Simply Sleep really helped me get through those tough times. I am not a doctor, so I recommend you speak with your doctor before taking a sleep aid, but if he or she gives you the go-ahead, this can really help. Plus, if you're not exhausted in the daytime because you got a great night's sleep the day before, you may find those urges easier to resist.

Tips & Warnings

• Start a new exercise routine.
• A relaxation tape can help you get through tough periods, as well. Take a break and play it mid-day or play it to help you get to sleep at night.
• If you slip, don't give up. Quitting smoking is a process and you just have to keep moving forward.
• Don't worry too much about weight gain. A temporary gain of 10 pounds or so is better than a lifetime of smoking!
• Brush your teeth more frequently. For some reason, this helps with cravings, too.
• Talk to your doctor before starting this process!