Making Realistic Goals to Quit Smoking Cigarettes

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your loved ones. Don't keep putting it off, and more importantly, don't be afraid to ask for help. It can be difficult to do anything without a solid support structure, much less curb an addiction.

The most important thing is to have a plan. Having a clear path from Day One means that you will not have to figure out where you are heading when you are not feeling your best. Will you cut back a certain number of cigarettes a day? Will you go cold turkey (for those iron-willed masochists)? Will you use patches, lozenges or gum? Set yourself achievable goals and a quit-date. Put them in your diary. Tell your family and friends. Better yet, tell a child, preferably under the age of 12. Make sure they keep you in check. Lying to them will make you feel worse than cigarette craving.

Nicotine withdrawal is the physical side of your smoking addiction. Symptoms may be similar to that of the flu or a common cold. Other symptoms include: the desire to smoke (obviously); irritability; insomnia or other sleep troubles, such as bad dreams; fatigue; and tightness in the chest. It is often reported that an increase in water consumption and rest can reduce these symptoms.

Keeping yourself distracted is important for the quitting process. Many people find exercise to be beneficial. Chewing on fruit (or gum) and drinking water can help keep your mouth busy instead of reaching for a smoke. These things can also help control your weight whilst quitting. Writing a journal or blog entry whenever you feel like smoking keeps your mind distracted and your hands busy. It can be interesting to look back on your early journal entries once you've quit. Seeing how far you've come it definitely motivational!

Finally, support is the name of the game. Online forums can also be a great help as a stranger's perspective can often help you to understand your own short comings. Don't forget to communicate with your friends and family - they will certainly support you in any endeavor to improve your health and lifestyle.