The Top Ten Tips To Successfully Giving Up Smoking

By Author: Daniel Burrows
Total Articles: 1
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Imagine this nasty surprise,

You're going about your daily business as usual, when all of a sudden a shooting pain hits your heart like a dagger. You're rushed to hospital and the only thing that you can depend on is luck, even if its on your side you're never the same again.

"What happened?" You ask the doctor once you've wakened. "I'm afraid you've suffered a heart attack, too much cholesterol's blocked the passages to your heart." He replies.

What you've just read about happened to someone I know quite well. He eats healthily and exercises regularly but smoked 20 cigarettes a day for 15 years.

It's no secret that smoking causes dangerous health risks but few realise (or don't want to realise) just how serious a problem it really is.

My friend started smoking because of peer pressure but always thought it was okay for him to do it because of his otherwise healthy lifestyle.

The doctor also told him that he may as well become a couch potato and forget about the healthy eating as cigarette smoking cancels out any healthy lifestyle habits, with interest!

Count me as the last person ...
... who wants to announce doom and gloom, but for all smokers out there this story may become yours.

Of course this isn't the only danger of smoking. To find out all the other potential hazards just do a Google
search on "effects of smoking".

Unless you really don't mind facing all these smoking horrors then giving up would seem a good idea.

Unfortunately giving up smoking on your own's a tough task but by putting the following tips into practice you'll be miles ahead of most others who try.

Tip 1 - Know your enemy

Why do you smoke? - Because the subconscious part of your brain's programmed to get you to keep lighting up, your goal is to reprogram it into getting you not to smoke. You can do this by not smoking for a prolonged period, it does take time though.

Tip 2 - Forget the reason(s) why you started

No one can turn back time. The past is the past, and it's what you do about it that matters now.

Tip 3 - Stay away from smoking friends

Not what you want to hear but being around them will make temptations too much. Unfortunately this may mean less trips to the pub, decide what's more important.

Tip 4 - Avoid stress

Probably the hardest tip to follow but stress destroys willpower very quickly so you must do everything in your power to avoid it.

Tip 5 - Avoid nags

When people nag you, do you become more determined or just end up even more stressed? Probably the latter so keep well clear.

Tip 6 - Avoid comfort eating

Withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant, but comfort eating will give you another problem to deal with, your weight. You don't want an addiction to overeating as well.

Tip 7 - Keep active

Try to stay as physically active as possible to keep your mind occupied. You don't need to go mad, just some light activity should suffice.

Tip 8 - Keep hydrated

Lack of water makes cravings stronger so drink plenty to keep them down.

Tip 9 - Don't rely on the those nicotine patches

You can try them but you're in for disappointment. I don't know of a single person who says they're any use at all.

Tip 10 - Don't kid yourself

Can you avoid smoking completely for a month? No, you've got a smoking addiction simple as that, any excuses for lighting up again aren't valid. The addiction's your enemy and will try every possible trick to get you to smoke again. Don't fall for them.

It's not easy to do but following these tips will automatically give you the upper hand.

(c) Daniel Burrows - All Rights Reserved

Tags : tips to quit smoking