Stop Smoking Cigs

So I knew that one day I would quit smoking, but I'd kind of put it off.

Of course, I tried sometimes. But I'd usually go back.

Why?

Well, one of the major reasons was that I'd often try to quit with a friend. We'd both be talking about it and I'd get pressured into doing it. It wasn't that I didn't want to quit smoking sometime; it's that I wasn't ready to quit smoking just yet. My heart wasn't into it. I'd start sneaking a cig here or there and then I'd eventually be back to smoking a half pack or a pack a day.

The other major reason I had a problem whenever I tried to quit smoking was that, well...it was often quite easy to quit smoking.

Now, that might sound weird to some others who have tried to quit smoking and found it really difficult. But it's completely true. I'd stop smoking and it would be really easy. I wouldn't crave cigarettes all that much. I didn't get any withdrawal symptoms. So eventually, after three days (which is when they say the nicotine leaves your system), I'd say to myself "What's the big deal? It's easy to quit! I can go ahead and quit later!"

And then I started smoking again. Ironic huh?

Anyway, I then stumbled upon an easy way to quit smoking and I haven't turned back since.

(Photo by Vivek Chugh.)

Does nicotine have a strong hold over you? It's one of the most addictive substances on the planet - found naturally in tobacco. Although not illegal, it's equally as addictive as cocaine or heroine, two illegal drugs known for their strong addictive qualities.

When you use nicotine, your body begins to rely on it both mentally and physically. You can't quit smoking because you have to face both the psychological and physical issues facing you at this point, which is often overwhelming for anyone.

It's not the smoke itself that wreaks havoc on your addictions and makes it nearly impossible for you to quit smoking - it's the nicotine that gets carried in the smoke deep into your lungs where it plants itself in your bloodstream and then moves to every available part of your body to affect your internal health.

Your heart and blood vessels, your brain, your hormones, and your metabolism are all directly affected by nicotine. Even though you may logically know the damage being done, your ability to quit smoking is diminished because the drug has the same effect as endorphins, releasing mood-elevating feelings that cause you to crave more.

But nicotine has another result. When you try to quit smoking, or even stay at the same number of cigarettes you currently smoke, your body triggers you to smoke more, telling you that you've become tolerant of your current usage. Nicotine can cause your body to react faster than if you were given a drug intravenously.

If you are able to quit smoking, nicotine will still reside in your body for up to four days after you stop using it. Your body will go into withdrawal, which is both a mental and physical obstacle you have to overcome.

While the physical portion of the addiction has to be dealt with through symptoms such as sleep disturbance, headaches, and dizziness, when someone quits smoking, the mental portion is noticeable when the newly ex-smoker starts dealing with depression, frustration, and anger that results from nicotine withdrawal.

Because of the pressure felt in both the mind and body, many smokers return to the bad habit so that the nicotine will erase the symptoms they're feeling.

The dilemma of withdrawal symptoms when someone quits smoking can last for days or weeks, depending on the severity of the addiction.

Eventually, the symptoms disappear and the strong hold nicotine has over the user loosens up its grip and allows the ex-smoker to break the habit for good. Most smokers have to try several times before they're able to quit smoking forever, although many do it on the first try using smoking cessation aids.

You can easily learn how to quit smoking by clicking this link.

(Photo by Joel Kubassek.)

When you've been addicted to nicotine, the thought of trying to quit smoking can be intimidating. Aside from the physical withdrawal symptoms, there's a psychological addiction to the habit-forming drug.

If you're setting out on a mission to quit smoking, make sure you implement a plan to attack your mental habit as well as face the withdrawal of nicotine physically from your body. Medications and counseling can contribute to an easier time when you quit smoking, because it's an emotional and social habit as well as just a habit of motion, taking your fingers to and from your mouth to inhale a cigarette.

There are many ways to get psychological help for your addiction. They need to be done in conjunction with the physical removal of nicotine, not just before or after you've quit smoking.

You may opt for phone counseling, which you can find through the American Cancer Society's Quitline. This way you're connected with a trained counselor whenever you need help with your plans to quit smoking.

There are some common traps counselors can help you avoid that usually cause someone who has quit smoking to return to the nasty habit. Phone counseling is a convenient way to reach out for support because it's available at all times, from anywhere you have a phone connection.

Some people who want to quit smoking need to do nothing more than turn to family and friends in their time of need. It's especially helpful if there's someone you know who has already quit smoking and will understand what you're going through.

There are also programs organized specifically for people who want to quit smoking. Being a part of a group can be beneficial in giving you the extra support you need to break the habit once and for all.

You may discover that you prefer individual counseling over group meetings, but either way, counseling helps people quit smoking more than those who try to go it alone. Some organizations will be intense, and others more flexible. The more intense it is, the higher your chance of success to quit smoking.

If you feel like your addiction is strong, then try to find a frequent meeting that lasts at least half an hour. Try to find those with experience to help you with you quit smoking. Never fall for the quick and easy claims some groups make just to take your money.

It doesn't have to be hard to quit smoking. It was easy for me and it can be easy for you too.

(Photo by Jeremy Mizell.)

Everyone knows that it's obviously healthier for you to quit smoking than it is to continue your addiction to nicotine. But there are more than just long-term health benefits. Your body is immediately improved when you start inhaling clean air as opposed to the smoke from a cigarette.

Within 20 minutes after you quit smoking your last cigarette, changes begin to take place in your overall health. Your heart rate and blood pressure drop to a healthier level. Half a day later, your blood shows normal levels of carbon monoxide.

Just a couple of months after you quit smoking, you'll notice your lung function increases. Maybe you can now walk up a flight of stairs without gasping for air. Plus, your circulation is improved.

During the first nine months after you quit smoking, you'll notice you no longer cough as much and you're capable of taking deep breaths. This is because the cilia in your lungs are able to move the mucus out of your lungs so they function better to clean them out and clear out infections.

When you're celebrating your first year after quitting smoking, you should toast to the fact that your risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half from what it was when you were labeled a smoker.

Over the course of the next five years and decade after you quit smoking, your stroke risk is reduced, too. Lung cancer death rate is half that of a smoker's and other cancers, such as those of the throat, mouth, bladder, and pancreas are cut as well.

While health is obviously an important factor in why people quit smoking, there are other immediate benefits as well. Tobacco may have damaged your physical appearance, such as causing premature aging, yellowing of the nails and teeth, and a foul odor clinging to your hair and clothes.

When you quit smoking, your skin immediately begins to repair itself and the bad smell goes away. Your breath smells fresh and you can take action to whiten your teeth using over the counter teeth whiteners.

You'll also notice improvements in other areas of your life after you quit smoking. For instance, you'll be able to taste food better than before and your sense of smell will be sharpened. Your reasons may be listed within this article, or you may have your own personal reasons to quit smoking. Either way, you'll reap the rewards of your efforts once you say goodbye to tobacco for good.

Don't stress about quitting smoking. You can do it easily and painlessly.