8 Correct Ways to Quit Smoking, How Many Do You Know?

Smoking is harmful to the body, but quitting can often be difficult. Here are some reference methods for quitting smoking.
  1. Change your smoking habits to deliberately make yourself uncomfortable, such as using the opposite hand to hold the cigarette, changing the position of the cigarette in your mouth, and using matches instead of a lighter.

2. Set specific times and places for smoking. For example, designate a time to quit smoking after meals, try not to smoke during meetings, and only smoke in a fixed place at home.

3. Review your smoking records to see when and where you feel compelled to smoke, and pay special attention during those times and places.

4. Train yourself to cope without cigarettes. When you feel the urge to smoke, don't give in immediately; wait for three minutes. If you still can't control it, find something to replace the cigarette, like a piece of candy or a distraction.

5. Do not keep cigarettes at the office, home, or on your person to create an environment where smoking is not easily accessible.

6. The day before you quit, throw away all remaining cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays.

7. During the quitting process, people often experience irritability, headaches, and fatigue, which are symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. These symptoms are mostly temporary and can be seen as signs of recovery, so give yourself a psychological cue.

8. Relapses often occur within the first 1-2 weeks after quitting, as the body still has a strong dependence on nicotine. However, if you can get through this period, the symptoms of cravings will gradually disappear, and your journey to quitting will be on the right track.

Additionally, studies have found that there are patterns to when and where people are more likely to smoke, such as early in the morning, after meals, while drinking alcohol or coffee, during conversations, in meetings, when feeling down, anxious, making phone calls, relaxing, feeling bored, having no taste in their mouth, watching TV, or while researching and writing. You can use the above strategies to overcome these urges.