Best Way to Really Quit Smoking

Top Five Methods to Quit Smoking Cigarettes

Smoking cigarettes puts you at a greater risk for heart and lung diseases. It becomes all the more hurtful when it also adversely affects the health of the people around you, especially family and loved ones.

Unfortunately, smoking is addictive and many people who smoke their first cigarette get hooked for a lifetime. It is not impossible to quit smoking cigarettes, however. You can effectively quit smoking with the help of these five methods.

* Self-Discipline

The sincerity to stop smoking is a determining factor in anyone's fight over cigarette addiction. In order to stop smoking cigarettes, you must first want to stop smoking.

To kick off your smoking cessation campaign, set a date when you intend to quit smoking for good. Get rid of all cigarettes, lighters, ashtrays and other objects that remind you of smoking. Most of all, steer clear of people who smoke since they can break your resolve.

Sometimes self-discipline alone is not enough to control the craving to smoke. It is best to combine this method with the other four methods: medications, hypnotherapy, acupuncture and counseling.

* Medications

You can help fight off the urge to smoke with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and prescription medications.

NRT supplies your body with the nicotine that you get from cigarettes. It allows you to reduce the amount of nicotine that you take in day by day, until your body stops depending on the substance.

NRT medications can be bought over the counter at your local drugstore. They are available as skin patches, chewing gum, inhalers, or lozenges.

In some instances, physicians will recommend that you take bupropion pills or varenicline tartrate pills together with NRT. These prescription medications help contain your cigarette cravings without supplying your body with nicotine.

* Hypnotherapy

Through hypnotherapy, you can program your subconscious mind to remove the desire to smoke. Talk to a professional hypnotherapist to know if this method is right for you. The hypnotherapist can help you explore your inner self by bringing you into a deep, relaxing trance.

* Acupuncture

Acupuncture can also help you cut down on the number of cigarettes that you smoke daily until you are finally able to stop. The treatment is done by inserting needles at certain pressure points on your ears, wrists and hands. If skillfully administered, the treatment is painless. Many ex-smokers find acupuncture very effective in reducing smoking withdrawal symptoms.

* Support & Counseling

To boost your resolve to quit smoking, join a support group or get professional counseling. You can also seek support from your family and friends. Quitting is hard but with the help and support of concerned people, you can find the strength to break the habit.

Never give up if your plan to quit smoking cigarettes fails. Quitting gets easier with every attempt! Many reformed smokers do not stop smoking with their first try. A lot try to quit over half a dozen times before finally succeeding. With persistence, you can achieve your goal to be a nonsmoker.