How to Kick Your Smoking Habit

There are few things more damaging to the human body than a smoking habit. Smoking has long been conclusively linked to many forms of cancer, stroke, coronary heart disease and many other life-threatening diseases. Not surprisingly, many of the 45 million smokers in the United States try to quit smoking every year. Unfortunately, smoking is notoriously addictive; of the roughly 44 percent of smokers who try to quit each year, only 4 to 7 percent actually succeed.

Given the importance of quitting smoking, a number of methods have been developed over the years to make it easier for smokers to quit. By implementing these changes in lifestyle, you could stand a better chance at finally eliminating your addiction to smoking.

Remove All Temptations - Breaking nicotine's deadly grip on your body is tough enough without constantly being reminded of smoking. Leaving ashtrays, lighters, match trays and cigarettes around your house or apartment only adds to the temptation to resume your smoking habit.

Another Reason to Drink Water - We all know that water is important for the body - who hasn't heard the "eight glasses per day" recommendation? But did you know that water can help you quit smoking? Water helps cleanse the body of nicotine, while simultaneously reducing your mouth's craving for this dangerous narcotic.

Anticipate Your Cravings - During the quitting process, you will inevitably feel the urge to break down and have a cigarette. While being tempted by the toxic allure of nicotine, it is absolutely crucial to remember that the urge will pass. Simply remind yourself to persevere, and you can ride out the craving until it subsides. Many times, these urges dissolve after a short period of time. You might consider writing a note with this very message, pulling it out whenever necessary.

Seek Support from Others - Fighting against cigarettes is often too big a struggle for one person to handle. A lack of external support can often derail a smoker's efforts to live a healthier life. Interacting with other smokers in the same boat might make it easier for you to accomplish your goal. There are a number of smoker support groups that offer encouragement and assistance to recovering smokers.

Manage Your Stress Level - A stressful day at home or work is often enough to get ex-smokers to reach back into the cigarette pack. By controlling your stress levels, you can cut off many of your urges at the root, thereby reducing your overall desire to smoke. You can reduce your body's amount of stress by listening to relaxing music, getting massages or practicing yoga or tai chi.

Put Down the Bottle (and Other Triggers Too) - If you truly want to quit smoking, you might have to temporarily give up alcohol as well, or at least reduce your alcohol intake. Alcohol is leading triggers of relapses for smokers, so you could very well feel an irresistible urge to smoke after downing a few beers.

Alcohol isn't the only substance that can lead to a nicotine craving. Many people find that they "need" a cigarette after drink a cup of coffee. Whatever your trigger turns out to be, it's important to try and avoid it while quitting smoking.

Patch Things Up - Recent decades have seen the advent of the nicotine patch, a patch that slowly injects its user with nicotine throughout the day. Nicotine is the chemical compound that gives cigarettes their addictive quality. The user then switches to less and less potent patches, until he or she no longer needs nicotine. Patches are not without side effects, as they can cause upset stomach, diarrhea, headaches, itching near the patch and even vomiting. Nicotine patches can also cause nightmares, so you may want to remove them

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By Michael V Harris