The experience of quitting smoking is different for everyone. Although certain universals like the body withdrawal from nicotine are present to some degree, a smoking habit is composed of your ideas, behaviors, routines, and environment.

Therefore, no two situations or smoking habits are exactly alike, and your stop smoking plan needs to reflect your unique needs in order to be most effective.

A plan to stop smoking needs to be well thought out and created ahead of time, and will consist of several components.

Your reasons for quitting. Beyond extending your life expectancy, the more clear and detailed you can be about your own reasons for quitting, the easier it will be to resist temptation, as you remind yourself why it is so important to persevere.

These can include priorities such as wanting to be in better health for a sport or activity you enjoy; being a good role model for the younger people in your life; desire for a younger, healthier appearance; easing the concerns of your loved ones; saving money for a trip or other anticipated reward; etc.

Altering your behavior. Smoking has been a part of your daily routine, as something you engage in during breaks, after meals, while you drive; make your own list and consider how you will fill the void during these times as you grow accustomed to the absence of cigarettes.

Finding other ways to occupy your thoughts, hands, and/or mouth can help replace the behavioral habits you are used to and ease your transition without making you feel overly fidgety. Other things you may need to consider will be where you spend your free time, if you are likely to be surrounded by smokers there, and make changes accordingly to keep you out of direct temptation.

What methods, techniques, tools or products will you use to help you through the transition? The severity of your physical addiction, your level of will power, your openness to alternative therapies, and more will influence your decisions and your likelihood of success using the different approaches available. Are you more comfortable using a medical approach, or would you rather go drug-free right from the start? Have you used holistic health practices such as acupressure or meditation previously? Read about the different alternatives and their benefits to see what sounds appealing to you.

Many can be used in combination, but it is always a good idea to consult with a professional if you are going to incorporate specialized procedures or medical products into your stop smoking strategy.

Where will you go for support? Friends and family can be an excellent source of the support you need, but everyone support network is different. In some cases it is hard to beat the level of understanding you can obtain from a support group, as well as the value of sharing information with others going through similar experiences. Locally, or online, consider connecting with other smokers who are trying to quit as part of your strategy for getting through the rough spots, and for ongoing encouragement.