How To Quit Smoking For Your New Years Resolution

By Trevor John

You've heard the advice. All those good-intentioned people who want you to quit smoking "for your own good". It's easy for them - they probably never smoked in the first place.

But what about you?

Do you really want to quit smoking?

If the answer is no, the odds aren't in your favor. In fact, if the answer to the question "Do you want to quit smoking as your New Years resolution" is no, my advice would be to find a different resolution.

But maybe you have no alternative.

Your new job may require you to go without cigarettes for long periods.

Your soon-to-be-born child's health could be at stake.

Your doctor may have issued you with a "quit smoking or die" ultimatum.

Whatever the reason, let's explore the best ways to quit.

Forget patches and gum. If you don't believe me, check the statistics. Using either of these methods is statistically the same as using "will power" - you're almost doomed to fail.

Set a time and date to quit. Let everyone you know what that time and date is. The more public this is, the better chance you have of coming out of the process as a non-smoker.

Before that time, you may find it helpful to cut down on your habit - some folks find this useful, others prefer to go cold turkey. You'll instinctively know what is likely to be best for you.

At the appointed hour, destroy or give away any remaining cigarettes.

Find something else to focus on.

If possible, don't think "I'd normally be having a cigarette now". If you catch yourself with these thoughts, don't beat yourself up. Just change the subject: think about sport, the weather, even the news.

At the end of your first day as a non smoker, reward yourself. A simple "you've done it" treat works wonders for your ego.

And - without becoming a bore - let your friends and family know as well.

Repeat the process on each of the next days.

If you can, stay away from places you'd normally have smoked. Especially for those critical first few days of being a non-smoker. The less smoking triggers you put in your way, the better.

Get more ideas on how to quit smoking for New Year and helpful hints on keeping your New Years Resolutions.

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