It takes a lot of commitment and perseverance to quit smoking cold turkey.If you want to quit smoking on your own, you have to be active, busy and mentally strong.Follow these steps to quit smoking cold turkey.
Step 1: It's a good idea to understand the pros and cons of quitting cold turkey.
Nicotine replacement therapy or drugs are not required to quit smoking cold turkey.Perseverance and independence are required for this.Only a small percentage of people have been able to quit smoking cold turkey due to the drastic change in their lives.The advantages and disadvantages of quitting cold turkey should be understood.If you have a serious health problem as a result of your smoking, quitting cold turkey will be the fastest way to improve your health.If you have a serious health risk, you will be more motivated to do it on your own.You won't feel as much pain for a longer period of time.If you succeed, you will be able to conquer your addiction more quickly, instead of spending months or even a year dealing with medication and nicotine therapy.You can experience withdrawal symptoms such as depression, insomnia, and anxiety.You have less chance of success if you quit cold turkey and use a combination of other methods.
Step 2: There is a game plan.
You will be more committed to the process if you make a game plan.If you want to quit smoking, you should pick a day on your calendar where you can quit.Pick a time of the week or month where you'll be less likely to break down and smoke.Know how you react.Write down the things that make you want to smoke, whether it's drinking booze, going to parties, or listening to jazz.How can you avoid them?You have to remind yourself why you want to quit.When you start your plan, keep telling yourself that you want to quit for health reasons, for your family, and for friends.It's possible to keep a motivational note in your wallet.The first few days are the most difficult.You should factor this into your game plan.If you get through the first few days of quitting cold turkey, you will be rewarded.You can record your feelings and thoughts in a journal.A plan to write in the journal at least once a day will help you feel more in touch with your body and mind.
Step 3: You can manage your stress.
You will be less likely to smoke if you manage stress.It's important to find other ways of dealing with stress because you may be using smoking as a way to deal with it.Here are some ways to manage your stress, so you can quit.You can figure out how to minimize stress by writing down all the factors in your life.The process of quitting will be easier if you can eliminate stress before you start.There are activities that will calm you down.Take a long walk, listen to music before bed, or meditate.Get lots of rest.If you go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, you will feel better equipped to deal with stress.Discuss your feelings with a friend.If you are alone in your decision to quit smoking, you will be more at ease.
Step 4: You should keep your body active.
If you want to quit smoking, you have to be active so that you don't have time to think about a craving.If you keep your body active, you will be able to replace your smoking routine with other routines.Keep your mouth active.Don't forget to drink lots of water, tea, and juice.When you have to, chew gum or suck on mints.Keep your hands busy.You don't want to reach for a cigarette if you squeeze a stress-relieving ball, play with your phone, or find another way to keep your hands busy.Get some physical activity.Pick up an exercise routine if you don't have one.For just 30 minutes a day, you can work out.You can go for walks.It's a good thing to do when you have a craving.
Step 5: You should be socially active.
If you're trying to quit smoking, it's not a good idea to be alone in your room or have another cigarette.If you take this as an opportunity to spend more time with your friends and family, you will not only be distracted from smoking, but you'll be happier.Accept more invitations.Even if you've avoided them in the past, take this as an opportunity to attend more events.A friend should be invited out for coffee, a walk, or a drink.If you take the time to chat, you can turn a casual friend into a close friend.If you can invite them to an activity that won't lead to one of your Triggers, then you have succeeded.Open up about how you're trying to quit when you hang out with your friends and family.This will make you feel supported.It's fun to do something that involves activity.A trip to the beach, a hike, or a yoga class with a friend are all possibilities.There are new ways to be socially active that aren't related to smoking.You can join a hiking club.
Step 6: Don't be tempted.
This is important.It's important to avoid situations that will make it hard for you to quit smoking if you know yourtrigger points.Try to avoid hanging out with other smokers as much as possible.If one of your best friends is a smoker, just have a serious conversation about it, and try to minimize your time around the friend when he is smoking.You should avoid the places where you used to buy cigarettes.If you can't go to your usual grocery store or drive by the convenience store where you buy your cigarettes without wanting to buy a pack, you should look for new stores.You should avoid situations where you tend to smoke.If you always smoke when you hang out at the mall, try to go to a restaurant or a club instead.
Step 7: You can find a new hobby.
Finding a new healthy "addiction" to replace your smoking habit can help you refocus your energies and be more excited about your new routine instead of feeling like you're just slogging through your days without smoking.Do something with your hands is a great hobby.Write a short story or a poem, or take an art class.Try running.You won't have time to think about smoking if you set a goal to run a 5K or 10K.Be curious.Try mountain biking or hiking.It will take your mind off cigarettes if you do something completely out of your comfort zone.It is possible to find a new love for food.Though you shouldn't replace your cigarette cravings with food cravings, you should take the time to appreciate food and learn how to cook.If you notice, everything tastes better now that you're not smoking.
Step 8: It is a good idea to reflect after a relapse.
When you have had a relapse, it's time to sit back and ask yourself why you did it.The key to preventing future relapses is understanding why you had a relapse.Did you have a relapse because you were feeling stressed?If so, you should think about how you can reduce stress.It is possible to deal with stress at work by having ice cream or watching your favorite movie instead of smoking.Is it possible that you relapsed because of a situation that made you want to smoke?If you had a cigarette at your friend Beth's party because you associate her with having a nice cool smoke on the back porch, then you should either avoid her parties for a while or come equipped with gum, a dessert, or a game plan to beat the craving.Before you relapsed, what were you feeling?You can fight those feelings in the future by recognizing them.
Step 9: It's time to resume your routine.
This is an important point.Just because you had one cigarette or relapsed doesn't mean you should give up.If you go back to smoking, don't use it as an excuse.You don't need the skills to quit if you have a moment of weakness.Do what you have been doing.If you've been trying to quit for a while, your body will be craving cigarettes less than it normally would, even if you have had a relapse.Be alert after the relapse.To avoid temptation, and to manage your stress, try harder than ever to stay active and busy for the week after the relapse.
Step 10: If you want to quit, know when to try other methods.
Only a small percentage of people can successfully quit smoking cold turkey.It's difficult.If you've been trying to quit cold turkey for months or even years but always relapse or fall into long periods when you resume your regular smoking routine, then it may not be the best method for you.Behavioral therapy is one of the great methods to try.A behavioral therapist can help you find a way to quit.Replacement therapy for nicotine.Nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, and sprays can be used to give your body nicotine.Instead of quitting all at once, this is a good way to get your body off nicotine.There is a medication.If you want to quit smoking, you need a prescription for a medicine.There are combinations of treatments.The best way to quit smoking is with the help of behavioral therapy, replacement therapy or medication.