It is inevitable that you will undergo intense cravings when trying to quit smoking. Because everyone's body responds differently to nicotine withdrawal, there is not one solution that works for everybody. Everyone has there own method; however, a few particular techniques have been proven to be effective for a large group.



Smoking cigarettes is a habitual behavior. Even after you quit, the habit is set and you want to continue. For the first two weeks, as you eliminate the chemicals that have built up in your body, it automatically tries to revert to normal. This biological mechanism can be triggered to work in a variety of situations.

Homeostasis is the technical term given to this mechanism. One's physical being attempts to keep up its equilibrium. When the body encounters a dramatic change, it tries to return things to 'normal.' You can use the knowledge that this is an in-built mechanism to your advantage.

The anxiety and guilt that accompanies giving up cigarettes make the effort of quitting all the more difficult. People ask themselves if they can manage not smoking and keep their resolve. When you are feeling overwhelmed and uncertain, the normal reaction is to revert back to smoking, since that is what has worked in the past. It's a vicious cycle that's hard to break.

As the physical changes take place over the first few weeks, the situation appears the hardest. In order to see ourselves through this difficult period, we must remind ourselves that these changes are out of our control and we must rely on sheer willpower to see us through.

Try to minimize all other stressors during this period of adjustment. Don't try to quit smoking if, for instance, you're beginning a new job. Don't take this on if you are facing a crisis, like a child having a serious medical procedure.

Distractions that aren't detrimental can be a powerful tool.

Have little bits of delicious fruit ready. If you feel like smoking, just eat one instead of lighting up. Choose a fruit that is not just sweet or bland, but also tangy. Pick the ones that you enjoy the most, but orange and pineapple seem to work well.

When you are craving a cigarette, try listening to music instead. Focusing on a song and keeping busy will take up that three or four minutes you would otherwise spend smoking. During this period, your favorite music can help sustain you. Be sure to choose something uplifting. Negative music should never be played while in a negative mood, as it only serves to reinforce those negative emotions.

Find something to do with your hands, like small exercises. Squeezing a firm tennis ball and using a hand-spring are some of the simpler exercises. Eventually, you can progress to exercises that work the entire arm, shoulder and back. That helps two ways: it eliminates that harmful cigarette and gets your circulatory system back in shape.

Depending on your personality and circumstances, there are a variety of concentration-requiring activities you can engage in: trimming your facial hair, creating a piece of art, and calculating math problems are just a few. The task should be brief, but intense enough to occupy your concentration so you do not think about smoking.

Eventually, your desires will nearly fade away. But, expect them to recur, randomly, over the next few months. If you feel it is needed, continue the same rituals that you did during the initial few weeks. Give thought to the long term advantages and how they will serve you for the better. Soon you will notice that these will take precedence over the short term advantages of smoking.