Easiest Way to Quit Smoking

The easiest way to quit smoking is to break the habit and the addiction together.

First, understand that over time, you have developed a habit and an addiction to smoking. Since this has occurred over time, it is important to understand that it will take some time to stop smoking.

Second, understand that the easiest way to quit smoking will combine several methods.

Third, understand that the easiest way to quit smoking is the use of those methods that work best for you.

Remember, the easiest way to quit smoking is NOT to quit cold turkey. In fact, this is the most difficult and, ultimately, the most unsuccessful way to quit smoking. Over 90% of smokers that quit cold turkey started smoking again within three months.

Break Your Habit

The easiest way to break the habit is to understand when and why you smoke. Do you smoke to and from work, in the car, at home, at the bar, with friends, and/or when you are stressed? By understanding when you smoke you can put together a plan to stop. Make sure your plan helps you to gradually stop smoking. For example, if you smoke two cigarettes to and from work, you might spend four weeks gradually reducing how much you smoke:

Week 1 - Only smoke one cigarette instead of two
Week 2 - Only smoke Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Week 3 - Only smoke in the mornings on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Week 4 - Stop smoking to and from work

By understanding when and why you smoke you can also develop alternatives. If you smoke after every meal you can substitute your cigarette with a stick of chewing gum or a toothpick. Make sure that your plan includes the following:

A date to be smoke free
Plenty of time. Your plan should give you between eight and 12 weeks to stop smoking
Rewards. With the money you will be saving, give yourself rewards every couple of weeks when you successfully carry out portions of you plan. For example, once you have eliminated smoking during you drive to and from work, take yourself to the movies.
Forgiveness. There may be a time when you go back on your plan. For example, after you have stopped smoking in the car you might have a very stressful day at work and end up smoking in the car. It is important that if this happens you do not lose your motivation. Start the next day back on the plan and keep moving forward.

Another easy way to break the habit is to enlist the help of family and friends. Not only can they help you stay strong when you are tempted, they will also be more understanding as you experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can include irritability, headaches, weight gain, anxiety, and even trouble sleeping.

Break Your Addiction

As discussed before, the easiest way to stop smoking is to address the habit and the addiction together. So, while you are putting your plan together to break the habit, you also need to start breaking your addiction to nicotine.

There are many options available to assist you with this process. Understand that you need to address the two components of your addiction. First, understand that you will have periods where you really crave nicotine or your withdrawal symptoms seem overwhelming. There are nicotine replacement therapies available that will help you address these sudden cravings or withdrawal symptoms. These products are often available without a prescription, and are both natural or chemical.

Second, you will need to address the general cravings and withdrawal symptoms. There are three options available to address these general cravings and withdrawal symptoms:

Nicotine Replacement Therapies. These are often available without a prescription. They work by slowly releasing small amounts of nicotine into the body to help limit your body's craving for nicotine and withdrawal symptoms. However, they can be habit forming because of the nicotine in the product.
Prescription medications. These alter the chemistry within the body to prevent cravings and withdrawal symptoms. The success rate with these medications is often between 30% and 45%. It is important to understand that they do carry the biggest warning available from the FDA because they can cause severe side effects that include suicidal thoughts, suicidal behavior, hostility, and depression.
All natural herbal supplements. These function like nicotine replacement therapies, but they are all natural, they don't require a prescription, and when used as recommended, they are not habit forming.

So, if you're ready to stop smoking today, we've reviewed the top solutions. Click here for more information.