If you’ve arrived at this blog, chances are you are at least thinking about giving up smoking. That’s the first step. And let’s be clear – it’s a reasonable place to start.
You won’t quit smoking unless or maybe until you make the decision. So, step two is deciding. This is harder than step one, but even more important.
The final step is the actual act of quitting. Undoubtedly the most difficult of the 3 steps.
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Let’s look at each of the three steps in more detail.
Don’t discount the importance of thinking about stopping the smoking habit. The problem with smoking is that it has become a habit, maybe even a comforting habit. So giving it up is not an easy thing to do. You have to prepare your subconscious for the change that you are contemplating. The way to do this is in very small bits.
Spend some time thinking about maybe smoking less, before you introduce the idea of completely quitting. This will get your subconscious used to the idea of cutting down on tobacco. Now you may be thinking that this sounds kind of crazy. But along with the physical addiction to nicotine, your mind has also become used to the habit of smoking because you do it so often. Hey, I look at it like why not use whatever weapons you can in your battle to stop smoking?
Next, start thinking about some of the negative effects that smoking has on your body. Even look at pictures of diseased lungs, or imagine yourself dragging an oxygen tank along with you as you struggle to breathe. After awhile, your subconscious will begin to accept the idea that smoking is bad for you. Once this happens you have a strong ally working with you in your quest to quit smoking.
Somewhere along the thinking process, smoking will become less appealing. At this point, you will start thinking that maybe you should try to quit smoking. This is decision time. You’ll probably do a lot of wrestling with the idea before you are ready to actually make the decision to quit smoking. You’ll go back and forth between yes, I’m going to do it, to well I’m not sure if I’m really ready, or maybe I’ll try next week or next month. This is natural.
Although some people talk about how they just up and quit one day, it really doesn’t happen often that way. They too went through the process we have been talking about, they maybe just weren’t consciously aware of doing it. Awareness is another weapon for you to use.
Give yourself lots of time. Don’t commit to the decision until you are firm in your resolve to quit. Because if you wait until you are truly ready, your chances for success are greater.
Which brings us to the final step – quitting. You already know that it probably won’t be easy. But you have arrived here prepared to stop smoking. Now you just need to decide on how you want to do it. Strategies range from cold turkey to medical assistance. There is no right or wrong way to stop smoking. You may even fail a time or three, but don’t let that stop you from trying. Just remember, quitting is a journey. The destination is a smoke-free life.
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