| There really is no best way to stop smoking. The only | | | | or four days. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms may |
| "best way" is for the smoker to say, "I really, really | | | | include irritation, restlessness, frustration, sleeplessness, |
| want to quit smoking" and actually mean it. The twp | | | | and being "fumbly stumbly" accident-prone. |
| main things every one else can offer is support and | | | | To curb these withdrawals and ease the distress, use |
| advice. As a smoker, be clear about why you want to | | | | NRT, or nicotine replacement therapy, in the form of |
| quit when you listen to their advice and support, listing | | | | gum, patches, lozenges, inhalers, etc. that can double |
| as many reasons as you can, and then making a plan | | | | our chances of success, by reducing the intensity of |
| to accomplish your goal. On the list of why you want | | | | our cravings. Go to counseling and behavior therapy |
| to quit, try to include achieving better health and fitness, | | | | classes. Use Nicotinell, Nicorette and NiQuitin CQ as |
| wanting to live longer, less risk of cancer and heart | | | | some of the nicotine product aids. Another option is to |
| disease, no nicotine stained fingers or teeth, better | | | | use the drug Zyban, which is available on prescription. |
| smelling breath, healthier babies and setting examples | | | | All of these aids are available. |
| for the family, healthier skin with fewer wrinkles, | | | | Regardless which NRT method we use, we need to |
| increased budget income, etc. | | | | find something to do and stay as busy as possible, to |
| We need to prepare ourselves mentally by setting an | | | | take the place of smoking. Games, woodwork, online |
| actual date we are going to quit. Make it a special day, | | | | surveys, taking extra adult classes, volunteering at |
| a day of personal achievement – it can be our | | | | literary workshops, etc. We can drink a lot of water, |
| birthday or anniversary; a holiday or one of our | | | | tea, or juice, or chew gum. Whatever we enjoy doing |
| children's birthdays; and can also be on No Smoking | | | | should be approached at this time. Try to stay busy |
| Day, the second Wednesday of every March. It really | | | | doing what we like. To avoid weight gain that usually |
| does not matter, as long as it means something to us. | | | | accompanies quitting smoking, try not to grab food |
| Reducing our smoking without setting a date to quit | | | | instead of a cigarette, and if you do – change |
| may not work, because our smoking is likely to | | | | your diet by grabbing raw vegetables and lots of fruit, |
| increase once again. Be aware of the fact that it is | | | | drink lots of juices and water, avoid alcohol, and |
| easy to give in to temptation and start smoking again, | | | | exercise much more. |
| especially when we are tense and upset. We stand to | | | | Avoid situations where we may be tempted to smoke |
| lose all that we have gained, if we have one single | | | | such as bars, nightclubs, hotels, and certain eating |
| cigarette. And then we will have to start all over again. | | | | establishments. All of this is common sense, but when |
| Making a plan is easy – sticking to it is something | | | | we are in the withdrawal mode, we do not think, we |
| else. If we were serious about wanting to quit smoking, | | | | react only to the pain and distress our body is going |
| we would follow it to the "T" – and hope to | | | | through. Care for it gently, by compensating these |
| achieve our goal, by knowing what to expect and | | | | feelings with something health and pleasurable. Family |
| preparing ourselves to face the withdrawal symptoms. | | | | and friends will support you to deal with nicotine |
| Most people find the first few days as the most | | | | withdrawal symptoms if you let them. |
| difficult, with things becoming better after the first three | | | | |