Giving Up Smoking Cold Turkey - How to Do It

It is easy enough to claim that there are people out there who are giving up smoking cold turkey. And there are many advantages to this method too. One: this is the least expensive method to kick the tobacco dependence. Two: since there are no medicines or medical procedures to use, it can be the safest method possible for those who wish to give up the cigarette habit. Three: this is the least complicated method to do. All a smoker has to do is to literally stop lighting up. However, quitting cold turkey is the hardest method to start, continue and accomplish - especially with smokers who have had tried to quit before but relapsed several times.

This method for kicking the nicotine habit is doable, but there are ways and means on how to make this a lot easier on the person who is trying to quit smoking cold turkey. Some experts suggest that:

1. The resolve must be there and be strengthened day by day. In order to successfully pull this off, the person must be resolutely conscious of never wanting to light up ever again. Half hearted measures when giving up smoking cold turkey are useless. This is really an all-or-nothing method of being nicotine free. This also means that the person has to get rid of all possible products or avoid situations that may tempt him or her back to the cigarette. Getting rid of all tobacco products and paraphernalia (preferably some place where the person can never retrieve these again) is always a good step. Limiting or avoiding all contact with former "smoking" hangouts or places where cigarettes can be bought is also another great step in the cold turkey method. Even the simple action of switching channels during cigarette commercials can help the smoker strengthen his or her resolve to kick the habit.

It is also wise to "alert" or "broadcast" your intention to sympathetic friends and family members so that the person can rely on them for moral support. The first few weeks are the most trying period, and anyone in this situation would need a moral boost once in a while.

2. The person takes up an exercise regime before he or she decides to quit altogether. This would take careful planning on the part of the soon-to-be-ex-smoker. Any exercise regimen is advisable, as long as the person following it is comfortable and complacent enough to continue the set of exercises in the long run. Light aerobics, walking or simply hiking up a trail are great exercises because these work the cardiovascular muscles. These exercises are designed to help strengthen the lungs. Also, the when the person finally quits smoking, he or she can turn to the exercise regimen as a form on therapy - as opposed to simply lighting up, or turning to food as cigarette replacement.

3. Taking up a new hobby may seem innocuous, but this helps the person become less prone to picking up a cigarette. Any hobby that maximizes the use of their hands is recommended, like painting or cooking or even animal grooming. Learning a new sport also works just as well. The key is to keep the person extremely busy. Having a full schedule that is both productive and enjoyable will help keep the person's mind off the tobacco habit.

April Kerr owns website End Smoking Tips which has details of stop smoking without gaining weight and best ways to stop smoking.