How to Mentally Prepare
Yourself to Quit Smoking
Do you want to quit smoking? Most people fail the first time,
or even the 2nd or 3rd time, they try to quit smoking. How
about you? Have you tried to stop smoking before and failed?
Do you know why you failed to quit smoking? Chances are you
didn't mentally prepare yourself first. Read on to learn some
tips to help you mentally prepare yourself first to quit smoking
and increase your chances of success.
Do you really want to quit smoking?
The first question to ask yourself is what are the reasons
why you want to quit smoking? If your answer is because someone
told you it would be better for your health, it costs too
much money, someone else wants you to quit or some other reason
along those lines; chances are you probably won't succeed.
You have to really want it for you! Make a list of the reasons
why YOU want to quit smoking for YOU.
Why do you like to smoke?
Now make a list of all of the reasons why you like to smoke.
Is it the taste of the cigarette? Alone? With Coffee? After
a meal? Or perhaps it's the way it makes you feel. Happy?
Pleasurable? Relaxed? Powerful? Important? Or perhaps smoking
helps you not to feel. Does smoking numb your feelings? Reduce
your feelings of stress? Or fear? Relieve your feelings of
boredom? Or loneliness? Whatever the reasons, write them down.
What will you substitute for smoking?
Next you need to decide what you'll substitute for smoking.
Yes, you can get a nicotine substitute for the physical sensations
you'll feel when you quit. But what are you going to substitute
for the emotional sensations you'll feel when you quit smoking?
Next to each reason you listed why you like to smoke, write
down something you can do to generate those same or similar
sensations or feelings.
Some suggestions are:
- Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who will
help you feel good about yourself.
- Take up a new hobby such as knitting, model airplanes, scrapbooking
or puzzles; anything that will keep your hands and mind busy,
generate feelings of pleasure and give you a sense of accomplishment.
- Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. Whether
it's a 10 minute walk or a bike ride with your kids, any activity
that will support your efforts to quit, reduce your stress
level and improve your overall health.
Following the tips covered in this article may increase your
chances of successfully becoming a non-smoker. What are the
reasons you really, really, want to quit for YOU? Why do you
like to smoke? What else can you substitute to generate those
sensations or feelings that you get from smoking? Remember,
if you want to increase your odds of successfully quitting
smoking, become emotionally ready first.
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Author: Eric Choong
Please visit my website at: http://www.health-beauty-care.com
(You are granted the right to reprint this article but the
title
and content must remain unchanged and the authors name
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