Cigarettes contain over 4,000 dangerous chemicals with carcinogens in every puff. It has been estimated that one in every two smokers will die from their habit, and most of those deaths will occur around ages 40 to 60. Will one cigarette hurt you? Probably not, but there is also a chance that you’re going to want another, then another, and another.

Nicotine is known as one of the most powerfully addicting drugs on the planet. Not only is your mind addicted, but your body is addicted as well. People are addicted to cigarettes because of the psychological comfort it provides. It’s an escape, a time out, and a pleasurable experience. Although, however wonderful a cigarette may seem at the time, eventually, it’s going to get the best of you. Eventually, you’re going to want to quit, if you don’t already. Fortunately, it’s not as hard to quit as you might think. Provided below are some effective tips to help you stop smoking today, for good.

Know That You’re Health is Going Down, Even Though You Don’t See It Now

Smoking causes premature aging, obvious wrinkles on the skin and face, yellow, stained teeth, bad breath, damage to hair and nails, headaches, cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, decreased energy, mental fog, increased heart rate, anxiety, irritability, smoker’s cough, asthma, SIDS in babies, heart disease, and the list goes on.

Smoking also decreases the amount of oxygen to the brain, arms, and legs. Because of this, many smokers have had to have their limbs amputated due to damaged nerves and blood vessels. Everyone is very aware of the negative effects of smoking. However, because of nicotine’s addictive trap, no one can quit.

Understand that if you stop today, you’re going to experience some irritability, anxiety, and aggravation, but all the while, your body is healing itself, getting rid of the toxins, restoring your cells, amping up your level, and working to repair your appearance. You’ll feel better, cleaner, you’ll smell better, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re finally healthy.

Realize That Smoking is Time-Consuming

You know that great big list of accomplishments you aim to conquer each day? Well, forget about it if you smoke. Most people like to sit down, relax, and smoke. It’s looked as a “break-time” and a “time out”. Too many time-outs lead to wasted time. There are a million other things you could be doing instead of sitting and smoking. You could be studying, watching a great movie with family, working out, cooking, cleaning, and working toward the benefit of increasing your overall quality of life instead of taking away from it. The result? You may not realize it now, but you’ll be so much happier.

Make a List of Good and Bad Things

Although you may love your cigarettes, they certainly don’t love you. In the end, they will kill you, and that’s not what friends do. Make out a list of things that you like about cigarettes, such as the stress relief it provides, the taste, etc., as well as a list of things you do not like about them, such as the smell, the way you always seem to get a headache 5 to 10 minutes afterward, how they make you cough, the cost, the amount of money they’re taking away from your bills, the time it takes to smoke, as well as how much of your life you are throwing away when you could be prolonging your years for your loved ones. Make out a list and then decide whether or not you should quit. Keep that list nearby and look at it every time you want to smoke.

Talk About Your Emotions

People tend to smoke when they’re stressed out. Instead of doing something about the problem, they turn to cigarettes to cope. Once they’ve finished smoking, they turn right back around and get back to life. It’s not too much longer until they’re lighting up again. Instead of lighting up, think of what’s really bothering you and do something about it. Maybe all you can do is talk about it. Whatever it is, don’t keep it inside. Nothing is worth killing yourself over, and every time you light up, killing yourself is exactly what you’re doing.

Start a Savings Fund

Each time you’re tempted to purchase a pack of cigarettes, don’t do it, and place your money in a jar. Most packs of cigarettes cost at least $3.00, with chain smokers spending more than $50.00 per week. By the end of the month, you’ll have a hundred bucks or more to spend on whatever it is that you want.

Summary

Quitting doesn’t have to be hard. Most of the physical withdrawals last 72 hours, with the rest being completely psychological. Remember that people do not smoke for the health benefits. People smoke because there is something going on in their lives that they need to fix. Smokers can become lazy, unhealthy, and complete time wasters. There are even folks who sit around for hours and do nothing but smoke, and what for? There is literally no point in it. If you fail to quit the first time, you can always try again until you succeed. Eventually, if you want your quality of life to increase badly enough, you will.