Hello!

It's Jeff again from the Self Help Tips Blog.

My city recently passed a smoking ban, and a response that I keep hearing is “I should quit anyway.”  For those of you who are in the same situation, here is some advice to get you started.

Do you want to quit smoking? Most people fail the first, second or even the third time that they try to quit smoking. How about you? Have you tried to stop smoking before and failed? Do you know why you failed to quit smoking? Chances are you didn't mentally prepare yourself first. Let’s go over some tips to help you increase your chances of success.

Again, do you really want to quit smoking?

The first question to ask yourself is: what are the reasons why you want to quit? If your answer is because someone told you it would be better for your health, it costs too much money, someone else wants you to quit or some other reason along those lines; it’s safe to say you probably won't succeed. You have to really want it for you! Make a list of the reasons why YOU want to quit smoking for YOU.

Why do you like to smoke?

Now make a list of all of the reasons why you like to smoke. Is it the taste of the cigarette? Alone? With Coffee? After a meal? Or perhaps it's the way it makes you feel. Happy? Pleasurable? Relaxed? Powerful? Important? Perhaps smoking helps you not to feel. Does smoking numb your feelings? Reduce your feelings of stress? Or fear? Relieve your feelings of boredom? Or loneliness? Whatever the reasons, write them down.

What will you substitute for smoking?

Next you need to decide what you'll substitute for smoking. Yes, you can get a nicotine substitute for the physical sensations you'll feel when you quit. But what are you going to substitute for the emotional sensations you'll feel when you quit smoking? Next to each reason you listed why you like to smoke, write down something you can do to generate those same or similar sensations or feelings.

Some suggestions are:

- Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who will help you feel good about yourself.

- Take up a new hobby such as knitting, model airplanes, scrap booking or puzzles; anything that will keep your hands and mind busy, generate feelings of pleasure and give you a sense of accomplishment.

- Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. Whether it's a ten minute walk or a bike ride with your kids, any activity that will support your efforts to quit, reduce your stress level and improve your overall health.

Following the tips covered in this article may increase your chances of successfully becoming a non-smoker. What are the reasons you really, really, want to quit for YOU? Why do you like to smoke? What else can you substitute to generate those sensations or feelings that you get from smoking? The bottom line is if you want to increase your odds of successfully quitting smoking, become emotionally ready first.