Do you smoke and don’t know how to quit smoking? Know the stages of quitting smoking.

Every smoker who has tried to quit smoking at least once knows how difficult this challenge is and how many sacrifices it requires. We now know a great deal about the ravages that nicotine wreaks on our bodies. Smoking is out of fashion, but once addicted to it, it is usually not possible to break free immediately.

Quitting smoking is usually a multi-stage process. It’s rare for someone to be able to quit smoking overnight. The exceptions are, for example, women who find out that they are pregnant or people who are seriously ill, when the doctor informs them that their further health and life depend on it.

So what are the stages of quitting smoking?

1. awarenessThe first step is to realize that smoking is an addiction that controls us. Initially, we are not aware that cigarettes are able to dominate our lives so much. We smoke and it seems to us that it’s not a problem and we can stop at any time. Then it turns out, unfortunately, that this is not the case and we cannot function normally without a cigarette.
2. DecisionOnce we realize that smoking has enslaved us and we will make a balance sheet of profits and losses resulting from smoking, where the list of the latter is definitely longer and unpleasant, it’s time to make a specific, decisive decision. It is important for us to be strongly determined, because future success depends to a large extent on it.
3. MotivationOnce we make the decision to quit smoking, it is very important that we decide why we want to do it, so that we find someone or something that will motivate us to persevere in the decision. There can be many motivations. Some quit smoking for a loved one, others for economic reasons, and still others for health reasons. How many smokers, so much motivation can be.
4. WithdrawalThis is the last and most difficult stage. We already know that smoking has taken over us, we are determined to quit and we realize why we are doing it. Then we definitely part with the cigarette. We start the fight with the conviction that we will come out victorious, with our heads held high.

However, if it turns out that willpower alone is not enough, know that you can still use methods and measures to support the process of quitting smoking. These are among others:

• Nicotine replacement therapy – i.e. providing the body with nicotine in gradually decreasing doses, in means other than cigarettes, e.g. patches or chewing lozenges, in order to eliminate nicotine craving and cleanse the body of other harmful substances,
• Pharmacological treatment – providing support in the fight against nicotine craving,
• Electrostimulation and acupuncture – allowing you to feel good without having to smoke
• Hypnosis – an unconventional method using the power of suggestion,
• Therapy sessions with a specialist – helpful in the mental sphere and the right attitude.

Regardless of everything, you need to remember that freeing yourself from the addiction of smoking is a benefit in itself and guarantees us longer and healthier lives, so no matter what methods, it is worth taking up the challenge.