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Best Way to Quit Smoking

For many people, quitting smoking is a daunting task. One reason for this is that for many smokers, quitting requires a lifestyle change. Smoking cigarettes is both legal and generally socially acceptable. To quit smoking therefore requires a significant amount of willpower. For this reason you should seek advice and get help. Just by asking people how they quit can enable you to find the best way to quit smoking.

Unless you are one of the lucky few who can quit with ease, it is not easy to give up cold turkey; relying solely on willpower. When you first try to quit you will find yourself in tempting situations where other people are smoking or where you used to always smoke. If you are in a situation like this it is best just to leave. Go for a walk and get some fresh air. Do something to occupy your mind so you are not thinking about that cigarette. Don't be tempted to have just one cigarette because it will just set you back. You will only feel guilty and then you might give up trying completely. If you do lapse, don't worry, just start again and try to avoid the situation that was too tempting in the future.

These temptations make it difficult to quit. The way to avoid these temptations is also the best way to quit smoking and that is to make changes to your lifestyle. This is especially important when you first try to quit smoking. Avoid social situations where you will be tempted to smoke. Don't go to clubs or bars where people will be smoking. If you find that when you stop you become anxious or restless then take up some kind of physical activity. Become more active and you will find yourself thinking less about cigarettes. This may also help you to realise how much smoking has been affecting your health. You may find it difficult to exercise and to breath properly at first but as time goes by you will see your fitness and health dramatically improve.

You shouldn't need to make major changes to your lifestyle to quit. If the changes are too drastic then you might not be able to maintain it in the long term. The point of changing your lifestyle is to change the association you have with smoking and certain activities. If you have been smoking for a long time there are probably many situations in which you smoke without thinking about it, when you don't really need a cigarette. For example when you are waiting to catch a bus or while drinking a coffee. Do you really have to have a cigarette at that time? What will happen if you don't? Of course it will become difficult the longer you go without a cigarette but then it will become easier. As the days and then weeks pass you will become smoke free and you will be able to call yourself a non smoker.

No one wants to lose friends or completely change their lifestyle just to quit smoking and this is not necessary. Just make a few small changes to your habits. Think about the occasions when and where you smoke and avoid these situations. Put yourself in new healthier situations and you may have found the best way to quit smoking.