How to quit smoking and not be tempted to go back

Quitting smoking is easy. Not infrequently many are tempted to smoke again after successfully living months to years without a cigarette. However, this does not mean that you are a complete failure. Don't give in to temptation either. Here are some ways to quit smoking for good, and stop being tempted to "one stick!"

How to quit smoking once and for all, and be free from temptation

1. Know first what makes you want to smoke again

Many smokers are used to smoking to deal with stress. If this applies to you, your body has attributed smoking to the only way to relieve stress.

This means that if one day when there are certain situations that cause stress after you quit smoking, the possibility of the desire to return to smoking will arise and it is difficult to control. Even quitting smoking is often used as a scapegoat as a cause of stress. In fact, your stress will decrease when you stop smoking. Research shows that former smokers feel more stress-free than smokers.

You can deal with stress without smoking. The trick is to find out what really is worrying you. Is that the deadline for work at the office? Then, find out how to increase your work productivity so that the task can be fulfilled properly.

2. Remember what made you quit smoking

If you start to falter and are tempted to smoke again, you need to quickly recall the reasons why you quit smoking. Is it because your health has deteriorated, so you can no longer exercise as intensely as you used to? Or because you are worried about the condition of your parents, children, or wife, who are always exposed to your first cigarette smoke?

Try to write down all of these lists of reasons and put them in a place where you can see them clearly at all times - as material for self-reflection. Motivating yourself can help you stop being tempted to smoke again.

Remember, it is self-interested changes that have the greatest likelihood of success in the long run.

3. Avoid the trigger

Usually, smokers have a certain time or situation that causes them to want to smoke. For example smoking after eating, or smoking while drinking coffee waiting for inspiration .

If these are things that can easily trigger you to come back, then fill in your usual free time to smoke by engaging in other activities. If possible, avoid other smokers for a while. Take, for example, separate from your smoker friends for a walk after lunch, play games on your cell phone, or wash dirty dishes immediately after eating.

Being tempted to smoke again can be caused by the smell of cigarette smoke around you. Clothes and other types of clothing can absorb the smell of cigarettes. Wash all clothes, pants, rags, jackets that smell like cigarette smoke. If you like smoking in your car, clean your car so it is free from cigarette smoke and cigarette butts.

4. Change the hobby of smoking with another

Keeping yourself busy is one of the most effective ways to quit smoking. Looking for other activities to take your mind off the cravings for cigarettes. There are several things you can do to fill your spare time instead of smoking, including:

• Sports
• Take a leisurely walk out of the house
• Keep your hands busy, you can play games on your cellphone or computer
• Go to the movies or watch exciting TV series
• Spend time with friends and family who don't smoke
• Go to dinner at your favorite smoke-free restaurant

When you are in the process of quitting smoking, there will always be a desire to put something in your mouth. The reason is, you are so used to smoking cigarettes so that when you stop smoking you will feel strange if you don't have something in your mouth.

Therefore, you can replace the cigarettes you usually put in your mouth with sugar-free gum, or healthy snacks. One other unique way that can be done to overcome the difficulty of quitting smoking is by drinking cold water through a straw. Sipping cold water through a straw will also release dopamine, a brain chemical that can help relieve bad moods.

5. Brush your teeth regularly

Usually, smokers have a musty breath smell like the smell of cigarettes. Therefore, one of the good things you get when you try to quit smoking is clean teeth and a fresher breath in your mouth, especially when you brush your teeth frequently.

If you brush your teeth regularly and always have fresh breath, you will feel a shame to get them dirty again with cigarette puffs.

6. Treat the temptation as a mistake

Don't beat yourself up too much if you have the desire to smoke or even go too far. Everyone is wrong, even when they are on the right path. This is commonplace.

However, make the moment a reflection and to promise not to repeat the same mistakes.

7. Reward yourself for success

When you have succeeded in not smoking at all, it's a good idea to reward yourself. For example, money that was only spent on cigarettes, you can put aside and collect. If you add up to a year of quitting smoking, you can take a vacation or buy the things you like with the savings. You should celebrate being free from cigarette smoke.