Tips to Stop Smoking - Quit Smoking Today and Quit Smoking for Good

Did you know smoking kills 307,000 people in the United States each year? This fact, in itself, would be enough to motivate anyone to quit smoking. As we all know, quitting smoking cigarettes is one of the most difficult addictions to beat. The nicotine holds a tight reign on anyone who has this addiction and for those of you who have quit the habit, I commend you and praise you for your accomplishment.

Lung cancer and emphysema are two of the most unfavorable outcomes of smoking cigarettes along with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Atherosclerosis can result in heart attacks, strokes and angina (heart pains) and nicotine in any form, has bad effects on small blood vessels and can have long term effects on your body.

But it is never to late to quit!!  Only two years after your last cigarette, your risk of a heart attack returns to average.  It has actually decreased substantially the very next week!  After two years, there is a decrease in lung cancer risk by perhaps one-third and after ten years the risk is back to nearly normal.  Keep in mind, most people who quit smoking cigarettes will enjoy major health benefits the rest of their lives and a lot of the daily hassles that impair the quality of your life will go away when you stop offending others by this habit. 

• Decide firmly that you really want to do it. You need to believe that you can kick this habit. Set a date on which you will stop smoking. Announce this date to your friends. When the day comes – Stop.

• You can expect the physical addiction to nicotine may make you nervous and irritable for about 48 hours. After that, there is not further physical addiction. However, the psychological craving is the one that can last a very long time. Stay focused and determined.

• Reward yourself every week by buying something nice with what would have been cigarette money.

• Combine you stop smoking program with an increase in your exercise program. The two changes fit together naturally. Exercise will take your mind off of smoking and it will decrease the tendency to gain weight in the early weeks after you stop smoking.

The immediate benefits of not smoking include:

• Better tasting food
• Happier family and friends
• Less cough
• Better stamina
• More money
• Few holes in your clothes
• Membership in a larger world
• If you have children, you will become a better roll model

Many health educators, myself included, are sometimes skeptical about cutting down slow and stress that you need to stop completely. We do not think this is always true. For some people, rationing is a good way to get their smoking down to a much lower level, at which point it may be easier to stop entirely. To cut down, keep in the cigarette pack only those cigarettes that you will allow yourself that day. Smoke the cigarettes only halfway down before extinguishing them.

Many good stop smoking courses are offered through the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association and your local hospital. Most people do not actually need these, but if you do, they can help you be successful. Try by yourself first, then if you need help, there is a lot individuals and groups willing to lend a helping hand.

Final Note

Your decision to stop smoking is one example of your ability to make your own choices. If your are trapped by your addictions, even the minor ones, it is difficult to see clearly. Victory over smoking improves your mental health, in part because it is difficult. Winning this fight can open the door to success in other areas of your life. Good Luck!!