QUIT SMOKING AIDS
These will be your allies against nicotine. All of these things will benefit you a great deal if you use them wisely. The more things you have in your arsenal to help you out, the better chance you'll have at succeeding. You can't do it alone. You can quit successfully, but you'll need help.
Really though, as with any serious addiction, the more support and help you have, the better off you'll be. You can't expect to quit, and do nothing and have everything run smoothly. It's simply not going to happen that easily. It will be the toughest challenge of your life. If that's the case, do you want to be alone, or do you want to be surrounded by as many positive helpers as possible? It's a lifestyle change, so it must be taken seriously.
In my own personal experience, I couldn't have done it without them. Not only do they change your mindset, but they also make you a better person, I think. See for yourself!
Introduce these into your life as soon as you put that last cigarette out for good. It will make quitting so much easier, and that's a great thing! Have fun with it! After all, this is the new YOU we're talking about!
MUSIC - This aid is IMPERATIVE to your quitting experience. It simply must have some sort of presence in your life. It's a great ally, and a reliable friend, at times.
I'm a huge fan of music. I carry music with me wherever I go. A lot of people do. Are you one of them? If not, I strongly recommend buying some sort of MP3 player.
Whenever I take a walk, I'm listening to music. If I'm on the bus, I'm listening to music. Even when I'm sitting in front of my computer at home, I'm listening to music.
Music is inspirational.
As soon as you stop, I recommend finding your personal anthem. A song that reminds you of why you quit, why you want to quit, and when you quit. When it begins, it gets you all excited. It's a song you feel an emotional attachment to. Perhaps it's a song that reminds you of your childhood, or high school, or the days before you became a smoker. It can be anything like that.
If you're a good singer, perhaps it's a song you like to sing well. Without inhaling tobacco, your singing voice gets better, so you'll be able to hit those notes you couldn't have before. It's a great feeling.
I chose an early 80's pop/rock song. Now that may seem like a weird choice to some of you, but that's OK. It shouldn't make sense to everyone. I chose it because it reminds me of being younger, and the lyrics are inspirational. Plus I like singing along to it. It's got a great melody. When it plays on my MP3 player, it reminds me that I am not a smoker anymore. Whenever I hear it, I'm reminded of that.
Playlists are also important.
If you do have some sort of MP3 player, create a playlist that is inspirational to you, or one that has emotional attachment to you. It can be dance music, ballads, or anything. The sky's the limit! You know in your own life what music you prefer, and what moves you the most. I can't decide that for you. Make it fun!
There will be countless triggers along the way, and if you have music by your side, you will be better equipped to face them. You might be at a vulnerable moment, but music will remind you to stay strong, instead of being weak.
There will be times, especially at the beginning, when you might feel depressed. Nicotine will try to make you feel sad for quitting. Don't let it! Let music turn that depression around into something positive and forward-thinking. It can totally be done! Even if you're going through physical pain, the right music will help you not care about it, because you'll be looking towards the future with great hope.
So, as soon as you put that last cigarette out for good, reward yourself by buying an MP3 player. If you already have one, then great!
Choose your personal anthem. Make it something that will make you think. You can definitely have more than one anthem. You can have as many as you want!
Make a playlist. Choose only your favorite songs. Listen to it all the time. If you're feeling vulnerable or at a weak moment, listen to your music and feel the positive energy it brings.
Music is a great quit smoking aid. I don't know if I could've done it without having it by my side. It's with me wherever I go, so naturally it plays a big role in my life. I strongly encourage you to do the same. You'll be ahead of the game if you do. It's just one more ally by your side when you need it most, and that's a great thing to have!
