Smoking is one of those nasty habits that people shouldn’t pick up in the first place. But since we seem to enjoy getting into trouble and living on the edge, some of us seem to have a tendency towards sucking on those cancer sticks. Myself, I must admit I have such tendency… of which I’m not too proud. And since I believe life is a stage for self-improvement, and since I’m all for choosing life, I’ve been reading up on tricks that people use to stop smoking cigarettes.
The following list is a compilation of the best suggestions I’ve come across regarding how to stop smoking cigarettes. If you’re also trying to quit this nasty habit, I wish you the best of luck; hopefully this will be of some use.
How to Stop Smoking Cigarettes (part 1: theory)
1) Think of all the nasty things about tobacco. Reduced blood flow, impotence, breathing difficulties, compulsive coughing, bad skin… not to mention lung cancer. Sure, smoking makes you feel cool, and the nicotine helps you relax… but when you think about it, you’re just burning away your life quality, each time you light up a new cigarette.
2) Think of all the great things of a life without cigarettes. Remember what it was like before your taste of smell and taste started getting dull from all your smoking? How about when you still could rush through a couple flights of stairs without losing your breath? I bet you don’t even remember what it’s like not smelling like an ashtray all the time. Those are all good memories you can restore… if only you can quit smoking cigarettes.
3) Picture yourself living a healthier and happier life. You will feel more energetic and active, you’ll save a lot of money (which you can use to have more fun). You’ll start getting compliments over your nice smell, and you will no longer feel like a walking ash-tray. Take the smoke out of your system, and embrace a happier and healthier living.
4) Imagine the wonderful sense of self-sufficiency you can reclaim. No longer will you feel like you really *need* a smoke. No longer will you have to keep feeling distressed because you’re almost out of cigarettes and there isn’t a 24/7 tobacco shop in the neighborhood. No need to feel like you gotta have cigarettes to feel at ease. Just stop smoking cigarettes, and life will get much more enjoyable.
5) What about the people you love? As if it wasn’t enough that you’re always pestering them with your second hand smoke… how do you think they will feel if your nasty habit ends up taking you away from them on a short notice? You do realize that’s a possibility, don’t you? Try an think of all the people and things you love, before lighting another ciggie.
How to Stop Smoking Cigarettes (part 2: practice)
6) Don’t carry as many cigarettes with you. Stop carrying your pack of cigarettes around, or you’ll only end up smoking them sooner than later. Rationalize your smokes and try to reduce your average daily dose each week. If you just reduce one cigarette per week, you can go from a pack a day to no-smoke in about 5 months!
7) Nourish a disgust for smoke. Do you remember what it was like before you smoked cigarettes ? Chances are you felt somewhat disgusted with the smell of cigarette smoke, or even the thought of sucking cancer sticks. Try to remember what that was like, and try to relive those feelings every time you get the craving.
8 ) Throw away your ash-trays. If you really want to stop smoking cigarettes, you must be serious about take the smoke out of your house. Start smoking only on the balcony or outside your house, and do away with all ash-trays so you won’t be tempted to use them when you’re leisurely hanging around your home.
9) Get those hands busy! Sometimes people smoke not because they crave the nicotine, but simply because they rely on the cigarettes to keep their hands busy during social interactions. If you keep your hands busy (drawing, writing, doing origami, playing a hand-held console or whatever), you won’t feel the urge to smoke as often.
10) Increased physical activity will help you quit smoking. If you start playing regular sports or just getting increased physical activity, those cigarettes will start tasting bad soon enough… not to mention that your body will produce its own chemicals that will make you feel much better than smoking cigarettes ever could!
That’s it! Remember, the single most important ingredient if you want to learn how to stop smoking cigarettes is to make a commitment to yourself. Try your best to live a smoke-free live, and don’t best yourself down if you have a slip up… after all, that’s only human. And smoking less cigarettes will still be a victory, if you think about it!
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