Best Way to Quit Smoking, a place to start

It's never been a better time to stop smoking. So what is the best way to quit smoking?

Simple.

The best way is you. I stopped smoking this year as sort of a New Year's resolution. I immediately faltered and returned to the nicotine sticks. I rationalized it to myself. I believed I was actually enjoying the cigarettes again. I really wasn't, but I told myself that. But then, it happened. I've been cigarette-free now for over a month.

BUT YOU HAVEN'T QUIT! YOU'LL BE BACK!!

But I won't!!!

See, before I even made it to this point, I found an easy way to increase the likelihood that I am in fact done with cigarettes. It started with decreasing the number and frequency of cigarettes I smoked.

For you this could mean the next time you get a craving, just quit smoking that one cigarette and go do something else. This way you can quit cigarettes one cigarette at a time. You will still feel relaxed knowing that maybe an hour or two from now you can still go burn one. You have not quit smoking but you have gained a little bit of will power and control over the nicotine. Do this once or twice a day for the next week and notice how you feel. Notice the increased confidence you have over the nicotine! Now, what you have done is you have decreased your total intake of cigarettes, you have made headway on your goal of ultimately quitting entirely, and you can still smoke!

I have found that after the 21st day of not smoking I rarely even think about smoking any more. When I smell other people's cigarettes, sometimes I fiend for one, but most of the time I am a little repulsed by the smell. You too can get to this point. Remember 3 key words in overcoming any addiction: time, distance, and shielding.

For me it has been a gradual decreasing of smoking with an ultimate turning point to stop cold-turkey. It has not been too difficult. I have also had some support. Maybe you have a friend or loved one who will encourage you to stop smoking or perhaps threaten to withhold love and/or affection until you do. Ok just kidding hopefully that won't happen but it does not hurt to have someone you care about encouraging you.

In the end it comes down to will power. No matter what you do, who helps you, or if you use quit smoking products it will ultimately rest on you.

Just remember that the longer you go without smoking, the less you will actually want to smoke. This is hard to recognize during the initial quitting phase, but it holds true. It may also be helpful to investigate if a smoking habit or addiction is a sign of coping with issues like depression, general anxiety and even tendencies towards Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and panic attacks (a common anti-depressant is often prescribed for people seeking medication to aid them in stopping smoking). In fact CNN reported "People who have a history of depression are more likely to smoke," according to Dr. Neal Benowitz of the University of California at San Francisco.

It then may also be a good idea to resolve those issues simultaneously or first while attempting to stop smoking. Your chances of successfully quitting smoking could increase.

Remember, when you quit smoking, it's good to have a plan, but allow yourself some room to adjust. Be flexible and open to new ideas. It seems impossible at first, but if I stopped smoking, then so can you.