Quitting smoking can be difficult. And most of the time, smokers go through several attempts before finally dropping off the habit. There’s no such thing as best quit smoking method because not all smokers successfully quit using the same strategy. However, there are some methods that have been clinically proven to work for many.
Quit Cold Turkey
Some people are able to quit smoking without using any product. Those who successfully did it focused on changing their perspective. Quitting cold turkey is a method that is always criticized for having low success rates and being painful but it has basically helped many people quit smoking for good without experiencing any side effects from quit smoking products. There’s nothing wrong if you use this strategy. You’ll never know if it works for you until you try. To prepare yourself for a cigarette-free life, focus on your personal reasons for quitting. Think about surviving a day without lighting up. As the days pass, your craving for cigarettes will slowly wane.
Chantix
Chantix works differently from the traditional nicotine replacement therapy. It works by blocking the nicotine receptors in the brain so smoking becomes less pleasurable. Scientific studies have shown that Chantix works better than other quit smoking medications such as Zyban. However, it becomes more effective when taken for four weeks prior to your target quit date, according to a study published in the Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. “We saw nearly full compliance, which suggests that this is not only a well-tolerated therapy, but one people can realistically stick with,” said Martin C. Mahoney, one of the authors and a professor of psychology at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute. According to him, Chantix already reduces smoking rate even before the person begins to quit which makes the entire process of smoking cessation easier.
Lifestyle Change
A recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that if you want to reach your goals, you should focus on developing good habits and not on developing willpower. This study adds to the claim that self-control is a finite source. Now, researchers found that when people are stressed, they are more likely to come back to their old habits and forget about self-control. What does this mean? If you can make lifestyle changes such as exercise, proper diet and stress management, you are more likely to drop the habit of smoking too. Previous studies have shown that people who exercise are less likely to smoke than those who have a sedentary lifestyle.
Counseling
Psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are two of the most recommended ways to quit smoking. It doesn’t have to be the traditional style of going to a practitioner’s office to attend regular session. Today, many people seek counseling support online, especially those who are not comfortable opening up with someone else. A counselor or a smoking cessation specialist can help you understand the root causes of your smoking habit, and give you advice on how to handle cigarette cravings and alleviate the debilitating withdrawal symptoms.
These four proven methods to quit smoking have helped thousands of smokers to quit. You can try each one or combine them all if you want. With the guidance of a health professional, you can increase your chances of quitting smoking for good.
