Prepare Yourself to Quit Smoking

Most people fail at giving up smoking many times before they eventually stop. Fact is that nicotine addiction is harder to beat than cocaine or heroin addictions. Frightening isn't it that tobacco companies can legally manufacture and sell harmful addictive products whilst less addictive substances are illegal.

Stopping smoking is a challenge and as with any challenge in life you've got to give yourself the best shot at not failing. I think that mindset plays a large part in whether you are going to succeed or not.

Some people suddenly decide that they are going to stop there and then and they do. Others set a date for their big quit smoking day, or think about it for a while and prepare themselves. The 2 most popular new years resolutions are either to stop smoking or lose weight and most of us break our resolutions so it's no wonder there are so many of us still smoking. Every week Monday is the set day for many people to start dieting or stop smoking, that only really works if you have prepared yourself.

Preparation can make a big difference in helping you to control your withdrawel symptoms and temptations in the early days of your attempt. First of all you should make a list of why you want to stop smoking, study that list and you will see that you have a lot of good reasons for quitting. Tell yourself that yes you can end your addiction, that you are in control of your life and not the tobacco companies.

Stopping smoking is a life changing experience and to succeed you need to be ready for your change in life style. It's a good idea to remove all traces of smoking from your home. Banish lighters and ash trays to the darkest corners of your cupboards and drawers if you cannot bring yourself to throw them away. Throw the last of your cigarettes out during the evening before you quit. I know that some people manage to keep a pack of cigs and still stop but to me that is unnecessary torture and increases the chances of you starting again.

Ideally you shouldn't smoke inside your home for a while before your big stop day. Let the horrible smell dissipate and the fresh air in. Make your home a no smoking zone before and after stopping.

Ask your friends and family for help. Ask the non smokers not to lecture you and tell you that you had better not start again - that is like a red rag to a bull to me. Ask the smokers not to smoke in your home and to never offer you a cigarette. Smokers offering those who are trying to quit cigarettes is one of the main reasons for starting again.

Unless you are very brave and going cold turkey make sure that you have your stop smoking aids ready. Those aids could be one or a mixture of:

Nicotine Patches

Nicotine Gum

Inhalator

Self-Hypnotism DVD/ Video/ Audio/ mp3

Motivational Courses

Books/ Ebooks

Electronic Cigarettes

Stop Smoking Cash Cans

Laser Therapy

Microtabs

Lozenges

Stop Smoking Diary

You can even set up a blog and or forum to help yourself and others. Mutual encouragement can be a powerful form of motivation to stop and stay stopped.

Lay in a few treats for yourself. Weight gain is often a worry with smoking cessation, but having plenty of low calorie, low fat treats to nibble the cravings away helps.

Finally think about your reasons for giving up smoking regularly and especially if your resolve begins to weaken. Remind yourself just what harm they are doing to your body and your life and tell yourself and the world that yes you can stop smoking.