QUIT SMOKING TIPS
#5 -- DON'T LISTEN TO CRITICISM - If you're like me and you've tried to quit many times and failed, I'm sure there are people out there who laugh at you.
After a while, my friends began to doubt me. They didn't think I could do it. They saw me relapse dozens of times. They got used to it, and after a while, they expected me to relapse. Isn't that horrible?
DON'T LISTEN TO THEM!
Block them, avoid them, and don't take their criticism of you personally. You are above it all. They don't realize you're at least still trying. It takes a lot of energy to stop. If they don't see how difficult it is, then screw them!
Your real friends will support you 100% regardless of how many times you fail. It shouldn't matter. Don't let them laugh at you! Show them who's boss! Show them YOU CAN DO IT!
#6 -- UNDERSTAND THAT EVEN ONE DRAG WILL LEAD TO A FULL-BLOWN RELAPSE - I have had MANY encounters with relapsing. This is what I have to say about it: under NO CIRCUMSTANCE can you ever smoke again. If you take even one drag of a cigarette, you have just sent all the nicotine your body needs to overpower you to take another one, and then an eventual full-blown relapse.
I don't believe the theory about "cutting back." I believe it does absolutely no good at all.
If you're a heavy smoker, then your body is used to 20 cigarettes a day. If you cut back to 3 a day, then you're in constant withdrawal. If you go from 20 cigarettes to 1 you're going to be obsessing and craving that 1 cigarette you're allowing yourself ALL DAY LONG! You'll eventually just give up.
So don't even allow yourself that one.
Know FOR A FACT that even one puff will lead you back into addiction. The only true way to quit is to go cold turkey.
#7 -- FIGHT THE PAIN - The first few days are the hardest. You're gonna feel some physical pain, I won't lie to you.
But you need to fight through that!
You need to understand that feeling the pain is a GOOD thing, and not something bad. It's your body healing itself, that's all that is.
It's very possible, in my opinion, to turn that feeling of pain around and think of it as a positive experience. The pain means it's working, and your body is able to heal itself.
When you start waking up in the morning fully rested you'll know what I'm talking about. You'll feel your lungs healing themselves. Your breathing will be better, and your energy will skyrocket.
#8 -- GIVE YOURSELF 3 WEEKS OF ALONE TIME - This is the rest of your life we're talking about. I think anyone, who is 100% serious, can manage 3 weeks of alone time without any interference.
You're doomed for failure if you think you can go out to the bars and have a few drinks only 2 or 3 days into it. YOU CAN'T! Nicotine is too strong, and it will overpower you. All it takes is one mistake, and then you have to start all over again.
You need to avoid all those things for a while. Besides, I think 3 weeks of alone time is NOTHING compared to your total lifespan. It's a mere dot on the map. When you think of how many years you've been an addict, 3 weeks may seem like nothing at all!
In reality, you'll need it. You'll need that time to sort things out mentally, because there WILL be demons chasing you. If you throw friends and bars and parties into the mix, you're just doomed for failure. Even if people get mad at you, it will be worth it in the end.
#9 -- REWARD YOURSELF! - Quitting is the hardest thing you'll ever do in your life, you shouldn't be doing anything else at the time besides this.
I think it's very important to reward yourself. It's one of the most practical quit smoking tips. Whether it be a latte from your local coffeeshop, a candybar, or a nice steak dinner, ALL those things you've EARNED because you haven't lit up once.
If you are prone to weight gain, worry about that later. A few extra pounds is insignificant compared to the task of quitting for the rest of your life. You can always join a gym, and I strongly recommend doing that.
Besides, your energy levels will be up, so you'll WANT to be exercising more anyways. It comes natural. So just don't worry about gaining weight; instead, REWARD YOURSELF!
