Tactics to help you kick the habit once and for allGet motivated

Motivate yourself to reach your goal by creating a wish list of all the benefits you will reap from giving up tobacco. Carry it with you and read it when you feel the urge to smoke. Motivators might include:

Living longerHaving more energyNo more smelly clothes and hairSaving moneyModelling a healthy lifestyle for your children Explore your options

While some people are ready to quit on their own, others choose one or a few options in the wide range of available support. Programmes, patches, and gums can help reduce cravings and get you through the tough times.

Move it

Whether you sweat it out in the gym, or simply start taking the stairs at work, getting regular exercise can make all the difference when it comes to giving up the cigarette habit. Studies have shown that exercise:

Helps you stay cigarette-freePromotes better sleepPrevents weight gainLifts low moodsFlush it out

Flush your body of the carcinogens and other toxins caused by smoking by eating lots of anti-oxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and drinking plenty of bottled water. Some health professionals believe these habits cleanse your body of pollutants and help to prevent weight gain.

Get distracted

Getting out of your normal routine is one way to help shake the habit. Avoid your usual triggers, and create new distractions. For example:

After meals, go for a walk, make a pot of herbal tea, or brush your teeth.To occupy yourself in the car, sing, chew gum, or sip water.Keep your hands busy by knitting, playing cards, or holding a book.Visit only nonsmoking establishments.Just breathe

A deep inhalation can actually promote relaxation, so that’s why deep-breathing exercises can be a great calming technique for new nonsmokers. Do some deep breathing each day for three to five minutes. Breathe in through your nose slowly, hold the breath for a few seconds, and exhale slowly through your mouth. Try doing your breathing with your eyes closed to quiet the mind.

Rally the troops

Enlist the help of those around you. Ask your family and friends to provide extra support and encouragement. Let them know you might be a little irritable while you are giving up. Tell your doctor you have decided to stop smoking, and ask for his or her advice. Find a friend who is willing to kick the habit with you—someone you can phone when cravings hit.

Keep at it

If you slip up, don’t give up. Studies show it can take more than one attempt for a person to finally stop smoking. Remind yourself why you are stopping and recommit to your goal. Believe that you will succeed. Good luck!

Studies have shown exercise helps people who stop stay cigarette-free.

Related reading

Smoking CessationAsthmaAthletic PerformanceLung CancerEasy Weight-Loss Tips

Linda Knittel

Linda Knittel, MA, is a nutritional counsellor and health writer specialising in alternative medicine, nutrition, and yoga. She is proud of her parents, who have both stopped smoking.

2007-09-01