6 Quick Quit Smoking Tips to Stick with the Plan

If you're looking for some quick quit smoking tips, then this article may have just what you need!

What you're about to read is the result of ongoing interaction over a long period with other smokers like you who want to stop smoking successfully. This article was written to provide some quick quit smoking tips and to address common issues of interest. I hope you'll find this information helpful.

These quit smoking tips are focused on helping you "stick with the plan."

Making the decision to quit smoking, although a huge step; is only the first step in a long journey. Once you have decided to stop smoking, how do you stay on the straight and narrow? Read on to learn six tips for quitting successfully.

Quit Smoking Tips #1: Make a list of reasons to quit smoking.

Make a list of reasons why you want to quit. Or, if you still take a bit more convincing, make a list of pros and cons to smoking. If you’re like the majority of smoking, the cons of smoking will greatly outweigh the pros.

Do you want to stop smoking because you are concerned about health—either you’re own or that of your loved ones? Maybe you realized that the price of smoking is actually costing you a better car, new clothes, or even a house down payment. Whatever your reasons for quitting, write them down and keep them handy to remind yourself when the going gets rough.

Quit Smoking Tips #2: Anticipate your cravings and formulate a plan of attack.

Nicotine is an addictive drug. It’s only a matter of time before you start getting cravings; depending on how often you smoked, it may only be a matter of minutes!

When you are getting ready to quit, pay attention to when you smoke. Is it on a regular schedule? Do you smoke when you are stressed or tired? Note both the times of day and the situations that cause you to reach for a cigarette and think of ways that you can avoid doing that in the future. If being in bars or social situations makes you want to smoke, you may need to spend more time at home until you get your cravings under control. If you miss the smoke breaks at work, be sure to take a break during the day by walking around your building or finding a quiet place and reading a magazine for about the same length of time you would have been out smoking.

Many people also find that medications can help with nicotine withdrawal. Several medications are approved by the U.S. FDA, and are available either over the counter or as a prescription. Talk to your doctor about what medication, if any, may be right for you.

Quit Smoking Tips #3: Join support groups.

Your first support group should be your close family and friends. Let them know that you are going to quit, and ask them to encourage you throughout the process. People who are around you every day also need to be patient, since quitting can often make people irritable. Just ask for their support and understanding, and the people you care about will probably be happy to help you become a healthier person.

Even if you have support from family and friends, temptation still abounds. Former smoking buddies may tempt you to smoke, either because they miss you at the smoke breaks or because they feel guilty for not quitting. What many ex-smokers find helpful is support groups made of others that are currently quitting or who have successfully quit. Many such groups are available online as discussion forums such as WhyQuit, the American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking®, and The Quit Smoking Company’s message boards. If you’d prefer in-person support, visit Nicotine Anonymous or Smart Recovery to learn about groups in your area.

Sidebar: Are you finding this information on quit smoking tips useful? I have always been curious about this, and when I found very little quality information online about it, I decided to share a part of what I've learned through my research - which is how this article came to be written. Read on...