Friday, February 2, 2007

7 Successful Ways to Quit Smoking

Author: Claire Bowes

Everybody knows how hard it is to quit smoking. Even people who have never smoked understand the tremendous amount of willpower and drive it takes to actually quit smoking for good.

One of the most overbearing symptoms of quitting smoking is the withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can be in the form of anxiety, cravings, irritability, difficulty in concentrating and a sheer 'want' to have nicotine. And they can be sheer hell!

The good news is that there are many ways to quit smoking, you just need to find out which one will work best for you. You might have to end up trying them all, but if you eventually find one that works for you and you give up smoking for life, then the trials and tribulations will be worth while.

Let's take a look at six different successful ways to quit smoking.


1) Stop Smoking Aids

Nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, nasal sprays, and inhalers are all aids to help alleviate the cravings of nicotine.

Let's take nicotine patches for example. They are designed to deliver a small amount of nicotine to your bloodstream, satisfying your nicotine cravings - without the dangerous tars and poisonous gases found in cigarettes. This is a very convenient and easy way to help you reduce your cravings while trying to give up nicotine.


2) Hypnotherapy

A growing trend nowadays is to get hypnotherapy to help quit smoking. By all accounts, hypnotherapy is one of the most successful ways to quit smoking. The reason being is that by using hypnotherapy to stop smoking, you effectively eliminate the cause of the bad habit right at the source, the subconscious mind.


3) Alternative Therapies

As stated above, we are trying to find ways to help you control your cravings and relax you while trying to give up smoking. Many people endure the thought of alternative therapies to help counteract these symptoms. The most popular therapies being acupuncture, aromatherapy, and meditation.


4) Willpower

Willpower is a state of the mind and it always seems to be easier said than done. Just the decision to actually take the step to give up smoking is a tribulation of willpower in itself. But can you carry on along the whole road of smoking cessation with willpower alone? You definitely have to be permanently in the 'right frame of mind' to stop smoking with willpower and sheer determination alone. But it can be done!

5) Counselling

Sometimes your willpower needs a boost and counselling is great for behavioural support. You can either have one-to-one counselling sessions, or feel that you would get the best support from a group meeting with like-minded people. You can find private, government and charitable organisations that offer smoking cessation support.


6) Prescription Only Medicine

Prescription only medicine is available from your doctor to help you quit smoking. These medicines for smoking cessation are only available through your GP, so you should make an appointment and talk about your needs.


There you have it. These are the top ways to quit smoking and all are successful in themselves, depending on each individual. So why not give one a try and see if it can work for you. If not, try another one. The main thing is not to give up.

Good Luck!

Claire Bowes is a successful writer and owner of many websites including Quit Smoking Support where you can find further advice and information about Ways to Quit Smoking

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