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Smoking Cessation: The Willpower to Quit
"I Quit!"
That's what my dad said more than five years ago when he shocked us all and declared that he was going to quit smoking, and quit he did. He just woke up one day and he quit smoking. We all thought that he wouldn't be able to quit because he has been smoking since he was a teenager, and he was already 50 years old then.
Quitting entails a lot of factors to consider when one is seriously thinking about whether or not to quit smoking. The fact that it is an addiction makes it even harder. Even smoking as a means to be "in" is yet another factor. Look around you - most of the people who smoke exude a sense of confidence as if they cheat death on a regular basis (well, that's my opinion). Eventually people who smoke will realize how bad it is when they are burdened with all the diseases associated with smoking. Then again, by then it might be too late.
To Quit or Not To Quit
That is the question that most of the smokers ask themselves. Quitting smoking is really a personal decision, and not simply because you've been told to do so endlessly. The mind is a powerful gift that can shape our future the way we want it – if only we want it to. There are thousands of cases throughout the world wherein people are successful in quitting smoking just because they really, truly wanted to.
I will not discount the fact that to quit smoking is a very challenging task. It is important that you are mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually ready when you finally decide to quit smoking. Why? Because if you're not, chances are you'll just go back to the habit. Studies conducted across the world show that it is a common setback for people who tried quitting. That does not mean that you will wait to be ready - you have to work at being ready.
You have to have a game plan with goals that are attainable. Going cold turkey is no joke, especially if you are a heavy smoker. If you want to quit but want to do it naturally then take these pieces of advice to heart and finally rid yourself of your smoking habit:
- Make A Decision: No one will be able to quit if there is no firm decision to finally stop. Quit smoking because you need to, you want to, and you have to and not because somebody told you to do so. Any support that you may have from your family and friends will be for naught if you are not determined. You have to understand that quitting smoking means that you're determined to overcome your nicotine addiction. It is an addiction after all, which means that you will have extreme cravings in the process of quitting. If you fully understand that, then make the decision now!
- Make A Preparation: It is imperative that you prepare to quit and plan on it in such a way that it will not coincide with any major events in your life. For example, if there is a big project that you will be working on, or an out-of-town vacation trip, then it's really not a good time to quit. You should choose a day to quit smoking when you are certain that there will be minimal stress and no major changes in your routine. Quitting smoking is hard enough, so don't take on extra burdens when you finally do it.
- Make A Note of Your Triggers: Knowing when, why and what makes a smoker smoke is crucial to the process of quitting smoking. You should have a smoker's journal, and take note of your emotional state of mind every time you light up a cigarette. Having this journal will help you fight the urge to smoke, because you will know before hand when, why and what makes you smoke and ultimately avoid it, or do something else to avoid it.
- Make it One Day at a Time: You are not Superman, after all. It's a big effort to quit smoking for life, especially on the first few days of quitting. When you feel you're on the brink of failure, just remember why you want to quit in the first place. If you fall back, don't fee bad. Just think of the many times you succeeded in avoiding a smoke and congratulate yourself.
In the end it, is our sole decision to live a healthy life. No amount of external help can do that for you if you do not even have the will to do so in the first place.
For more information and advice on how to quit smoking,visit the Smoking Cessation Channel!
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