Are you a smoker? A smoker who quit smoking, then quit smoking again, and then again…. Yup! I am definitely guilty of that. I said to myself I was going to quit so many times…But don’t get me wrong, I had all intentions and even tried. I maybe lasted a day or two, maybe a week on one attempt and on another attempt I probably lasted about 4 hours.

I really wanted to quit smoking though! …And so did my sister. So she asked me to go see a hypnotist and I did just that. It was pretty cool and I learned a lot—especially to quit smoking!!! I did, I quit for 8 whole months. Then one night out, I had a couple drinks and gave in. Opps!! Cigarette craving-1. Me-0. Again.

I smoked cigarettes for many years; I started when I was 15 years young and have been cigarette free for about 7 or 8 years now. Like most smokers, we all enjoy it or it just becomes a habit for us. It is our calm-me-down, it feels good to inhale after eating, when you first get up in the morning, …I know you smokers understand what I mean by, “favorite cigarette time.” …But when you really want to quit, you will! I quit cold turkey because I wouldn’t let anything hold me back from doing what I really wanted to do and I really wanted this so badly for myself. I now despise smoking, everything about it, the way it smells especially. I trained myself to feel this way about cigarettes in general and I think it was the best decision I have made for myself and my health. I have never felt so much better with breathing, less stomach issues, and food even tastes that much better to me. Oh! …and it of course keeps more money in my pocket! So if you said to yourself many times that you are quitting, all you have to do is remain strong and pull through every craving. The first couple of weeks are going to be the hardest but keep thinking to yourself that “this shall pass too” (because it will) and the cravings will eventually start wearing down and soon enough you will be smoke free and not even wanting to be around a cigarette. I have learned it is all about the Will Power and putting your mind to it—and I believe each of us has the capabilities to do so.

“The best way to stop smoking is to just stop–no ifs, ands or butts.” -Edith Zittler

Here I am going to provide you with some personal guided tips that helped me quit smoking. Now keep in mind everyone is different and goes through different experiences and outcomes.

Guided Tips on Quitting Smoking Cigarettes:

• Breathing exercises. For instance: When I felt an urge to smoke, I stopped whatever I was doing and slowly inhaled through my nose and exhaled through my mouth. As I inhaled through my nose, I said to myself, “I am a strong and can overcome this craving” and as I exhaled, “As I exhale I am letting go of all the cravings.” *You can also make up your own little encouragement sayings to help motivate you to pull through.
• Drink Lots of Water. Temptations can be hard to overcome, so drinking a glass of water when yearning for a cigarette can help pass the craving. Water also helps flush out any toxins from the cigarettes out of your body; therefore, remember to drinks lots of water!
• Change Routine. I recall when I smoked, as soon as I got up in the morning; I had to have a cigarette. Instead of going straight for a cigarette, I changed my routine by brushing my teeth and doing something different like going for a walk, listened to a motivational song, even dancing. Anything that you enjoy can help distract the mind.
• Shift your thoughts. Every time I wanted or thought about a cigarette, I kept thinking of something else. For example: say I had a craving just now, I would try to remember to think about plans I had that was coming up, or thought about what I had to do for so-and-so. It can be hard but try and do your best.
• Do a hobby; distract the hand. Finding a hobby is helpful because it can distract the mind/hand since smoking is known to play psychological games. The hand used for smoking needs “something” else to do because it is so used to holding the cigarette and bringing it up to the mouth… Try a new hobby such as drawing, painting, knitting, playing games with family and friends, yoga, exercise, read a book, do a puzzle, meditate, play with a squeeze ball or coin; anything to keep the hand distracted.
• Training the mind. It’s all about training the mind since you are going through a transition. I kept repeating to myself over and over again that I can quit and am strong-willed. I made sure to keep reassuring myself with all of the positive incentives of why I am quitting. I would also tell myself that I do not like smoking and it taste bad (although that was easy because I already did not like the taste of cigarettes, haha). This helps to trigger and shift the thoughts to not wanting to smoke.
• Support from family and friends. I learned by telling people I was quitting, I had more encouragement and it helped build me more strength and will power to do so since I didn’t want to let myself down, let alone any family and friends.
• Replace a craving with foods: such as fruit, gum, peanuts, sunflower seeds, hard candy, and/or mints.—>Attached link refers to another intriguing article related to herbs and a natural way to quitting smoking nicotine. I personally liked taffies, specifically dum-dums.
• Stay Away from: caffeine, coffee and alcohol for the first couple weeks. It has been said that these three intakes will cause you to trigger to smoke.
• Ask for support: You can talk to your primary doctor about quitting. The doctor will most likely provide you with further information on quitting safely. The doctor can also assist you with further resources that can help you. Moreover, there are many support systems you can turn to; try and look up areas and numbers in your local area. There are also programs and support groups all over the Internet that are available; do research to find one that is right for you!
• Reward yourself: When you complete your desired goal to quit smoking you gain a sense of self accomplishment which is super rewarding. Therefore, I  have learned that rewarding yourself keeps you wanting to do more for yourself. So when I was in the process of quitting smoking, I made an agreement to myself that every day that passed for a whole year; I knew I would buy a pack of cigarettes everyday so I would put away the amount of money the pack of cigarettes would have cost in a little bank I made for myself. (I even doubled it some day’s thinking that I possibly would have brought two packs that day). I did this for the whole year and ended up having well over $2000 and had reward money to do whatever I wanted with it. Felt really nice to have “whatever-I-want-to-do-with-money!” Sure was a nice vacation in Aruba with my partner in all of our new outfits! Good times by the way.. cheers!! 
• Remember to repeat affirmations: such as “I am a nonsmoker,” “I am strong-willed,” “I can do it,” etc.… This allows you to train your brain to think you are a smoke-free smoker.
• Other Alternatives: sometimes we need more motivation and encouragement to quit knowing that we want it deeply within. That is why I personally would suggest to try and repeat the prior tips for at least a month. The other alternatives I am listing are ones that are done with the help of professionals and others. Listed below are other alternatives to help quitting smoking:
  • Hypnosis. Like I mentioned in the opening of this post, I have attended a hypnosis session as a group. I went with several other people too and know of others who have went. My own personal perspective and conclusion is that it all comes down to is will power. It’s whether you do or you do not make the decision to pick up the cigarette and put it to your lips and inhale. It comes down to YOU and the choice to smoke or not. I say this because the few people I know that went to  see a hypnotist did what I did—quit for a certain period of time and went back to smoking. One even told me they went back to see a hypnotist for the second time and repeated the same outcome as the first time.
    • I would also like to add in there that I feel seeing a hypnosis would be recommended to do in a group because it encourages you with a lot of motivation to quit. It also provides huge benefits by attending as a group session because it helps you relate to others. Meeting new people and making friends who understand what your going through is a plus too.
  • Acupuncture. I have never been to one nor have I heard of any friends or family. Please comment below to tell your story and experience if you ever received acupuncture. I would love to hear from you!!!
  • Meditation. I did not meditate when I was in the process of quitting smoking cigarettes. Although I do meditate now. I would have to say I am 99.9% sure that if I meditated then, I would be able to quit on a much easier level. Meditation has strengthened me as a person—mentally and physically—in so many aspects. Also, I’ve read a book called, Miraculous Health, How to heal your body by unleashing the hidden power of your mind  by Dr. Rick Levy with Lou Aronica. This book can help you by learning how to meditate by yourself and can possibly help with overcoming any of life’s challeneges and obstacles.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly would like to wish you the best of luck with your new smoke-free, better living journey! YOU CAN DO IT!!!! One day at a time, take down one craving at a time. Remember all of this will be over faster than you think and you are a non-smoker in no time! You are in charge…. You decide! Good Luck!

“The key is focusing on the positive. Build up the good things in your life and the smoking will go away by itself.” -Author Unknown

*If you would like to add on to this list and/or leave your story, please share. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to share any experiences you have encountered with quitting smoking in the comment box below. Thank you!

Believe in yourself and you can Create What You Want. –Dianne

References:

Acufinder.com, 2012. Quit Smoking with Acupuncture. Acufinder.COM, Acupuncture Referral Service. https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/Quit+Smoking+with+Acupuncture

Nottosmoke.com, 2012. Tested ways to quit smoking and herbal alternatives to smoking. Nottosmoke.com, Smoking & Tobacco Hazards. http://www.notosmoke.com/

Stop Smoking with Hypnosis 2004-2012. Stop Smoking Hypnosis, Find Hypnosis Quit Smoking Locations, Hypnotherapy. Healthy Life Centers, We Do Care About Your Health. www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com

Related articles

• Unsure Of How To Quit Smoking? Begin Below With These Concepts! (aujasus.com)
• Wanting To Smoke, and Not Smoking (joeymanley.com)
• In our dreams… (courtsroyalcorner.wordpress.com)
• Quitting Smoking, Week 2: Cold Turkey Vs. Nicotine Replacement (blisstree.com)
• Electronic Cigarettes – Quit Smoking Today in 3 Easy Steps (eciganywhere.wordpress.com)
• Quitting Smoking, Week 1: Not Totally Terrible (Maybe Because I Cheated?) (blisstree.com)