Quit Smoking Plan

Young people do all sorts of stupid things in their lives and I must admit that I was no exception. I did so many stupid things. One of the worst things I ever did to myself was to accept the idea that cigarette smoking was cool. Before I knew it, I was up to a pack-a-day habit that burned my lungs for 10 years. Since cigarettes were so inexpensive when I was in the navy I would smoke two and three packs a day. I had a real cigarette addiction. That was until 1978.

In 1978 I left the Navy with my 2 pack a day habit. Then one day about six months after I got out, I smartened up and realized that compromising my health wasn't worth the few minutes of pleasure that a cigarette gave me. Even though I ran and worked out, I could tell my stamina and strength were compromised. I decided that I wanted a quit smoking plan that would once and for all get rid of this disgusting habit.

Today there are lots of ways to quit, but for me back then there was only willpower and hypnotherapy for smoking cessation. I ended up using a variation of both these methods.

Before we go on let's discuss using willpower. One thing is certain, willpower can work if you have the right mindset but it usually takes a lot of it and many attempts to quit. So if you decide to white knuckle it, prepare yourself for what could be a long hard ride.

Today if you want to quit smoking you have many choices. One is by gradually reducing nicotine intake with the help of patches and gum. These aids came out in the early 90's, and can be ideal for those who are scared at the prospect of going through smoking withdrawal. Read any book on how to stop smoking and you'll see numerous warnings about the likely withdrawal symptoms you'll experience. With patches and gums you can still get your daily dose of nicotine without having to smoke. The theory behind this is that it gives you a chance to wean yourself from the rituals of lighting up and handling a cigarette without having to deal with smoking withdrawal right away.

Experts agree that the nicotine patch therapy should be part of an overall quit smoking plan that also includes some type of behavior modification, counseling, and support. The goal of the therapy should be to quit completely, not just "cutting down."

If you ask your doctor for a quit smoking plan, there is a good chance that they'll recommend a prescription drug. There are a few on the market, including Zyban or Wellbutrin. This is essentially an antidepressant that has been effective for some people who want to stop smoking. Again, if you are serious about quitting you should use a quit smoking plan that includes support for your change.

Many smokers don't want to use any drugs at all, and would prefer an all-natural method instead. This is understandable, as patches, gums, and prescription pills can be a lot more expensive than natural techniques. If you want to try going the all-natural route, then stock up on St. John's wort or make an appointment with a hypnotherapist.

Hypnotherapy for smoking cessation has been shown to be successful for many people. Like I mentioned before, I used a variation of it in my quit smoking plan. I used a combination of affirmations and visualization to relax and overcome my smoking withdrawal symptoms. While it wasn't quite hypnotherapy for smoking cessation, it used many of the element that hypnotists use. I know this because I now help people stop smoking with hypnosis and NLP almost daily.

Remember, as the surgeon general has pointed out, quitting is the best thing you can do for your health. So develop a quit smoking plan that works for you. Discovering the different options available to you is the first step in the quitting process. From here, you have to figure out how to stop smoking in a way that fits your personality and lifestyle so that you have the best chance at long-term success.

If you really want to quit smoking the key is to decide. After you decide start on your plan today!