Four genius steps to quit smoking

If you are a smoker and haven't succeed in quitting, welcome to the club. I have been smoking for 4 years, and one day, after having a surgical operation on my throat I decided I needed to stop for GOOD, however, as expected, didn't manage. I read posts and articles on how to quit smoking, but all of them were so hard to follow and not realistic.

Here is a REALISTIC plan for you to quit smoking for good ONCE AND FOR ALL. No one said it would easy, if not everyone will do it.

• Find of reasons to quick

The first step is to actually make a list of the reasons why you should quit. In my case, it was my throat and the possibility of having higher risks of developing serios complications. Reasons could be money, wanting to start a family, or simply because smoking is NOT COOL anymore! Find reasons to quit and stick with them in moments when you think you can't anymore. Repeat the list over and over again when those cravings appear.

• Make a plan for quitting

Identify your triggers and change them

When do you usually smoke? After breakfast, before lunch. Write down your usual "cigarette break" to be aware of when the cravings are most likely to appear. What makes you want to reach out for a cigarette? Being at the club, being out with friends, at home, during exam weeks. You need to be aware of these things in order to control your cravings and to avoid as much as possible during the first week being surrounded by your triggers.

Cravings and how to manage them

I am not going to lie, cravings are hard, they are difficult but not impossible. Cravings during the first week will appear most likely at your usual "cigarette breaks", but remember, CRAVINGS ONLY LAST 5-10 MINUTES, I think you can manage to distract yourself for that minutes.

How to plan for cravings?

1. Right a list of activities you need to do to distract yourself when any craving appears, like painting, going to the gym, etc

2. Avoid going to places that trigger smoking, for example a club or a bar with friends. Avoid those places until you think are prepared to manage those situations

3. Buy gum, lollypops and anything to keep your mouth busy in times where cravings are very powerful. Reward yourself with candy

4. I recommend buying a stress ball or something to have in your hands.

When cravings appear...

1. First of all, begin by distracting yourself with a walk, or by painting

2. Call your friends on FaceTime and talk about something else to keep your mind distracted

3. Keep your mouth busy- with a lollypop of your favorite flavor, a candy or anything to simulate a cigarette

4. Watch Netflix while sucking the lollypop or eating the candy

5. DRINK WATER!! Water helps release nicotine from your system

6. If necessary, put essential oils in your wrist (lavender, citrus smell) and smell it to keep the cravings away

• Manage to get through your first week

I can promise you that the first week is always the most challenging. Once you have achieved your first week, you are more than half-way through your quitting journey. During the second week without smoking you might experience:

1. Irritability

2. Increased appetite

3. Cravings all around the place

4. Fatigue

How to solve them:

1. Irritability: try to get some physical activity or go a walk. Breathing fresh air or at least getting active releases endorphin, which will make you feel better and stay more positive

2. Increase appetite: change your diet if necessary. Antioxidant food like açai bowls, dark chocolate, pecans, kale, are great both rich in vitamins and healthy for your body and mind

3. Cravings all around the place: try to distract yourself by having a friend to talk to on FaceTime or simply by putting your favorite show in Netflix. Distract yourself

4. Fatigue: get some sleep, as easy as that. Quitting smoking is not easy, and you need to give yourself a break

• Imagine saying "I have quit smoking"- that sounds so cooooool

It is not an easy journey, but it is not impossible either. If I can, so can you. But remember, you are doing this for yourself, so take all the time you need. Be strong and be determined by reminding yourself of the reasons behind quitting, but take care of yourself. Take a break from all the stress and sleep, eat chocolate, candy, binge watch Netflix...

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Here are my 4 steps for quitting smoking once and for all. I am not saying this is the right way to do it, it is just the plan that worked for me because it seemed simply and not to overwhelming. The main goal is to remain calm and positive. Quitting smoking is hard, and if you do it with a bad attitude, it's even worse, so just remember... if you are trying, you are half way there.

If you have tried these steps, comment down below your experience. I am eager to read them!!!!!

ps: Smoking doesn't make you cool. Sorry.

XoXo

Sofia's Choice