Hello on a beautiful summer evening here in Minnesota, and thank you for continuing to read the Self Help Tips Blog!

Today I will share a few techniques that will help you to not only stop smoking, but stop the cravings as well.

Lots of smokers know all of the reasons why they should stop, but still struggle making the final decision. Knowing the reasons of why you want to quit is an important first step. It is important that you have a number of good reasons why you want to stop smoking, as this will help you to get through the great number of cravings that you will no doubt have.

Smokers come in a wide range of ages today and about as wide a range of reasons they smoke. Start by making a list of the advantages and disadvantages of giving up smoking and you may discover some powerful reasons to support your decision to quit. Being clear about your reasons will be a very powerful tool in quitting the smoking habit.

There are a lot of different programs on the market today, so what works for one may not work for another based on reasons for wanting to quit.

The following are statistics from various sources about death and smoking:

Death rate is 2-3 times higher among smokers than non-smokers.
Smoking is estimated to cause ten million deaths per year worldwide by 2020. (WHO Web Site)
Smoking causes 400,000 deaths annually in the US. (Mayo Clinic)

The strong desire to live longer could be a powerful reason to stop smoking today.

Cravings

One of the hardest things to overcome when you determine to quit is the craving. The good news is that simple water will help you get over some of the tough cravings. Drink lots of water. Water is important for you anyway, and most people do not get enough. It will flush the nicotine out of your body, plus it can help reduce cravings by fulfilling the "oral fixation" that you may have. Let those cigarette cravings be an opportunity to have another glass of water.

The key part of quitting smoking is learning how to deal with these cravings when you stop.

Learn what gives you the craving for cigarette, such as stress, the end of meal, arrival at work, entering a bar, etc. Avoid these things or if that is impossible, plan different ways to deal with those urges.

Focus on the present and deal with just one craving at a time.

You will also need to avoid alcohol because it affects your judgment, and without thinking about it you are more likely to smoke. Be sure to get lots of sleep because it can keep up the motivation and you will feel better. Last, consider taking warm showers… they are a great way to relieve tension.

You can quit smoking today. There are many sources that can be of great help, use this article as the springboard to healthier living.