It is true. It has been scientifically proved it is hard to quit smoking. For 10 years, experts from the United Kingdom have studied over 200.000 volunteers who tried to give it up.
Even if it is hard, a strong will is going to lead you to the nicotine-free life you desire.
Most of the smokers tend to make a habit out of smoking by unconsciously turning it into a conditioned reflex.
Try to stop or replace the actions that make you want to smoke, such as drinking coffee in the morning. You can replace it with green tea, for example – healthy for your heart and lungs at the same time.
Be prepared to experience the unpleasant effects of the withdrawal from nicotine, because it is going to happen. The first days are going to be a struggle, you will most likely get more and more nervous.
Don’t lose it, there are ways in which you can deal with it just fine. Chew sugar-free gum or have a mint drop. Crunch on some nuts, sunflower seeds or just have a snack.
Get lost into things that take your concentration off your desire to smoke, like watching a movie or hitting the gym.
Change the cigarette brand and switch the cig-holding hand with the other. 8% of those 200.000 people I spoke about in the beginning managed to give up smoking by doing just that.
It just might work for you, for me isn't working, but if it doesn’t for you also, don’t lose hope, there’s more!
You don’t have to quit overnight, the main goal is to reduce the cigarettes to 5 per day. Once you reach that milestone, you’re pretty much done with it.
Try to create a schedule, as an example for starters smoke a cigarette not sooner than two hours after the previous one. When you feel ready, expand this pause between smokes until you end up not smoking at all.
You must bear in mind that you are in charge of your actions. It’s just a matter of determination and if you really put your mind to it there’s nothing holding you back. You can do it!
