If I were to answer that question in two words I’d say – with Patience and Determination. But I know you will say, ‘Easier said than done.’ Precisely, its not easy to gain independence from a habit that had literally enslaved you for all these years. But its not impossible either.
To deal with withdrawal symptoms would be a difficult task. So to maintain your focus you need to have a strong reason as to why you would want to quit smoking. Is it because you want to improve your health? Or your girlfriend wants you to? Or you are pregnant? Or you just want to try? Chose your reason. Let it be so strong that you wouldn’t even think of turning back. If your reason is not strong enough you will find yourself giving in to the test of withdrawal symptoms in no time.
The most difficult part of the withdrawal symptoms is the Craving. I know smokers who smoke a cigarette every half an hour. Such people would find it difficult to deal with cravings. But if you have determination and patience to hang on for three to four days. It will be a smooth sail thereafter.
When you crave for nicotine and don’t get it, you may have occasional headaches, indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, lack of concentration, restlessness and sore throats. But these symptoms don’t last more than four to five days.
If you feel the craving for Nicotine, dry diverting your mind. Some people eat dark chocolates when they feel like smoking. Some people take a brisk walk down the lane and come back. Some people drink a few glasses of water. You can try any of these to divert your mind. Remember cravings last only for 5-10 minutes. If you show grit and patience during these 5-10 minutes you can overcome them.
You can also go the Muslim way. Muslims fast in the holy month of Ramadan. They do not eat, drink or smoke for 12 hours from dawn to dusk. Once they begin their fast, they control their cravings for not only smoking but something as basic as food and water. This technique will also help you. Fasting helps people detoxify their bodies and build resistance and determination.
Try this for thirty days. It seems like a long period though, but once you are through these thirty days you will realize, quitting smoking had never been easier. You will learn how to deal with cravings during your fasting. After you break your fast at dusk, you can smoke a cigarette or two, far better than smoking two packs a day, isn’t it?
As I said, all you need is a very strong reason to quit smoking for, once you have it there is no looking back.
