Stop Smoking Tips

You Want To Quit Smoking… so why do you suddenly have an irresistible urge to pick up a pack?

Most people who smoke have ‘triggers’ that make them want to smoke.

There can be many and varied reasons why people will reach for a smoke in certain situations and when they are feeling particular emotions. The key is to identify what these emotions or events are that cause these urges. That can help you to begin the process of quitting smoking forever.

Feeling down or depressed is a very common trigger as smoking can act as a comforting element in a person’s life. Many people smoke because they are shy or self conscious and smoking gives them something to do to take their mind off their anxiety or nervousness. The nicotine can have a calming effect on the nerves, as well.

Other people will feel like lighting up when they are angry as this will help them to calm down and manage their situation better.

Virtually any emotion can be a trigger for someone to feel like smoking and it is necessary to determine what YOUR emotional triggers are if you do have them.

It might be that you don’t have any problems relating to emotional triggers but rather situations that cause you to feel like smoking.

You might feel like smoking when you are listening to music, driving your car or watching the television. Some people like to have a smoke after a meal or when they are consuming alcohol.

Many people have conditioned themselves to feel like smoking when they are socializing, partying and drinking and often this is one of the hardest aspects of life to deal with for those who are trying to quit smoking, because they do not alter their lifestyles to remove the triggers.

Others feel like they need a smoke to help them start their day or at the end of the day to help them unwind.

Observe yourself. Only you know when the urge to smoke hits. What are you feeling? What are you doing? Keep a log for a week or two and see what kinds of patterns emerge.

Once you have identified the triggers in your life you can begin to deal with the situations that bring on those smoking urges. You need to look at the things that trigger your desire to have a smoke and see if you can discover an alternate solution that will help you to cope with the situation without the need for a cigarette.

If one alternative doesn’t work for you then try another and keep trying until you find something that is satisfactory.

Sooner or later you will find something that can give you enough satisfaction to not need the cigarette each time such an emotion or situation arises. You CAN control your smoking. Get a handle on those smoking triggers!