Nicotine stimulates the transmission of electric pulses in the peripheral nervous system, increases the amount of blood that flows into the coronary arteries, produces tachycardia and vessel constriction, increases arterial blood pressure, collaborates in the process of formation of gastric ulcers, and has many more harmful effects. It has a tremendous addictive power, and it is almost impossible to quit consuming it without firm determination and a carefully designed plan. Nicotine's effect on the nervous system makes smoking and anxiety two closely related issues. Worse yet, they feed each other: the more nicotine a person consumes, the more anxious he (or she) gets, and the more anxious a person becomes, the more he or she smokes. For this reason, anyone who firmly decides to quit smoking must first analyze his present situation, for it will be harder to reach his goal during periods of particular excitement, family problems, or stress.

However, some things can help. For instance, modifications on a person's diet can be beneficial in the process of quitting. Complementing your diet with nutritional supplements can be helpful. Also, keep in mind that the habit of smoking is influenced, as we already said above, by anxiety, so stopping alcohol and coffee consumption should help too. Of course, there are some products aimed to ease the quitting process (like patches, or special chewing gum), but most of them are nicotine-based, and the last thing we want in our bodies is more poison! Besides, none of these products can guarantee success.

There are also several self-control techniques that can help you regain control over your mood, dominate the anxiety and achieve a great relaxation. Listening to music, dancing, reading, playing sports, yoga, warm baths, breathing control and outdoors walks are some of them. Each person should use the one that suits him the best.

Some specialists recommend replacing the satisfaction achieved by smoking with other types of satisfactions. For instance, a good practice is to use the money saved by not buying cigarettes to buy yourself a present. It's a good idea to keep a "non-smoking" jar to put all the money you save by not buying cigarettes. For instance, if you used to smoke one pack a day, put that money in the jar. At the end of the month, you will be able to buy something really nice!

Keep these handy things in mind; they may ease the process of quitting this nasty, harmful habit once and for all.