How I stopped smoking

You will quit smoking when you are ready. There are no shortcuts or life hacks to

substitute for your readiness and willingness to put the cigarettes down. You need

to be prepared mentally and physically for the challenges you will inevitably face

while on your journey. I can not really tell you exactly what will work for you, only

you will discover that. However, I can tell you what worked for me, and how I

became smoke free.

For me, quitting was part of an overall lifestyle change. I made ending my addiction

to nicotine part of my new year's resolutions for January, and decided that I would

start from there. I had attempted to quit multiple times in my life, but never lasted

more than about a week without smoking. This time, I recognized the opportunity in

the timing. Not only was it the beginning of the year, but I was also moving across

the country to start fresh in a brand new city that I had never been to before. It was

the perfect time to kick a bad habit that had been weighing me down for years.

I was an everyday smoker for about four years. I started off, like most people, just

smoking casually with friends at clubs and parties. Eventually I was consistently

smoking at least three packs per week. I spent thousands of dollars over the years

buying my vice only to end up with stinky breath and clothes, bad skin, inhale

carcinogens, and lose my sense of taste. It was time to take better care of myself

and honestly, grow the hell up. Right now, I’m nearly three months cigarette free for

the first time in five years. So, here are the tips I have for you if you are trying to kick the cancer sticks:

Change of Surroundings:

If you are about to move, start a new job, or have any other major life changes

about to happen, kicking this nasty habit about the same time may be helpful to the

cause. You will have less environmental triggers such as familiarity and habitual behavior.

If there are not any major life changes coming up in your life, try changing the

places, and people, you frequent. Stay out of all bars, clubs, and parties where you

know people will be smoking. This doesn’t mean you have to give up those places

forever, just try to steer clear while you’re trying to avoid relapsing and smoking a

whole pack in one night.

Start researching the facts

Public education made sure that we know the basic harms of cigarette smoke, but

they really don’t elaborate with true life scenarios or real stories from real people.

Look online for people sharing their stories on how smoking has impacted their

lives, families, and even careers, and how they kicked the habit. Reading real life

stories helped stay strong during really bad cravings.

Clean your car

My car is when I would enjoy smoking the most. Having a cigarette with my morning

coffee on my way to work was one of my favorite things. I loved chain smoking

while on long road trips, and my car smelled like it. I had lighters and empty

packages in my car, and film on the insides of my windows and even little pieces of

tobacco in my seats. I cleaned my car from top to bottom when I decided that I really

to commit to quitting. Having a clean, fresh car was less of a trigger than a car

stocked with supplies that helped feed my habit. When you decide it's time to quit,

go out and buy some of your favorite air fresheners and a cute mirror hanging to put

in your car. Some of my all time favorite air fresheners are the Bath and Body Works brand. You will begin to appreciate a clean and smoke free car.

Tell People

Be open about quitting with your friends and family. More than likely they will be

supportive and encourage you to keep going. If you have friends that are also

smokers, be honest with them about your desire to quit. If they’re not supportive

and try to pressure you into smoking, they’re not your friends.

Trust the Process

No matter if you’ve avoiding smoking for one month or one hour, making the

decision to take better care of yourself by not smoking shows personal growth.

Maturing and becoming an actual adult isn’t one day waking up, being perfect, and

having it all together. Its taking baby steps, and trying to make the next day better

then the last. To wake up and make conscious decisions to try your best. That’s all

you can do. So on the rough days, don’t be too hard on yourself.

For more information on how you can stop smoking visit www.smokefree.gov