Say Goodbye to Cigarettes: Kicking an Addiction

Smoking is a highly addictive habit, and trying to quit can be one of the hardest things a person has ever done. Smoking is destructive to your health, causing heart disease and lung cancer, among many other problems. The wisest choice is to never begin smoking in the first place, but once you've started it is hard to stop. Television blasts dozens of commercials for nicotine patches, chewing gums, and even oral medication. Yet any of these supplements will not work without some behavior modification. So when you are ready to quit, here are some ways to get started.

First, throw away the cigarettes. Don't try to convince yourself to "cut down" or "wean off" the habit. If you have cigarettes in your house, you will smoke them. Don't give yourself access to the temptation. If you always buy your cigarettes at a certain convenience store, don't go to that store anymore. Shop at a different supermarket or buy gas at different gas station. If you typically buy cigarettes when you buy gas, then try paying for your fuel at the pump so you won't even have to step foot through the door.

Second, identify your motivation for smoking. Do you smoke when you're bored? Is smoking a way to relax and unwind? Once you understand your motivations, you can begin to find substitutes to make quitting easier.

If you smoke when you're bored, then try other activities to keep your hands busy. Keep a pencil handy to doodle, or carry a stress ball to roll around in your hands. You could try painting or doing crossword puzzles. Try anything you enjoy to distract yourself from the desire to light up.

If you smoke to wake yourself up, find other stimulating activities. You can get the same "high" and adrenaline rush from a brisk walk or run. While caffeine isn't the best substance for your health, substituting a cup of coffee in place of a cigarette would be a beneficial trade off. Breaking the caffeine habit is a lot easier than kicking the cigarette addiction.

If you like having something in your mouth, replace the cigarettes with gum, mints, celery, or even a toothpick. Keep your mouth busy while you're trying to quit and it will take your mind off the nicotine withdrawals. You may have heard that people often gain weight when they stop smoking and this substitution is probably the biggest culprit. A lot of people replace cigarettes with junk food. If you go from smoking a pack a day to eating a bag of Doritos everyday, they you will probably pack on a few pounds. So opt for low-calorie snacks or sugar free gum to satisfy your craving.

Many people associate smoking with a particular places or people. When you decide to quit, avoid the settings where you always smoked in the past. Stay away from your friends who smoke or ask them not to smoke around you. Visit restaurants or public places with no-smoking rules so you won't be tempted to light up with others around you.

As with anything in life, people sometimes fall of the wagon when they are trying to quit smoking. If you do slip up and have a cigarette, don't despair. Don't throw in the towel and go right back to your old habits. Instead, identify what caused you to smoke, and get right back on the program. You will know to avoid that situation next time. Remember that every cigarette you don't smoke is helping your body to become healthier.

Last, look at smoking as a non-negotiable issue. Even heavy smokers know that you can't smoke in theaters, malls, subways, or some restaurants. Smoking was not an option in these places before, so tell yourself that smoking is not an option anywhere now. Don't leave room for argument. Make your home, your yard, your workplace, and your car smoke-free. If you've smoked in these places in the past, give them a deep cleaning. Scrub your home and car, deodorize your carpets, and spray some nice air freshener. Then you won't even be tempted to light up and ruin all your hard work.

Kicking the cigarette habit can be difficult, but millions of people will tell you that it is possible. You will feel better, smell better, and even look better when you quit smoking. So stick with your program and be proud of your accomplishment when you stop smoking once and for all.