In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that more than 37 million adults smoked cigarettes. Considering the amount of information that’s produced and shared regarding the dangers of Smoking, that figure seems shockingly high.

For many of those people, however, smoking is not a choice. It’s an addiction that can feel impossible to break.

But just as the amount of information on the dangers of smoking has risen, so has the number of options available for people who are interested in breaking the habit. If you’re a smoker and you’re trying to Quit, there is now more support and tips being shared than ever before.

Below, we’re reviewing five of the top tips that may help current smokers who are looking to quit. Doing so can improve your health, your happiness, and your life.

1. Get Motivated

There are a lot of reasons to quit smoking, but in order to be successful, you have to find the one that resonates with you. Not everyone will have the safe motivation for giving up cigarettes.

Consider the thing in your life you want the most. Maybe it’s to improve your health, or to extend your life so that you experience your children growing up. Keep reminders of your personal motivation in visible places so you’re always thinking about the reason you’re quitting.

2. Tell People That You’re Quitting

One thing to keep in mind if you’re interested in breaking the habit of smoking is that you don’t have to do it alone. Quitting is hard, and it’s harder if you don’t have people to encourage you along the way.

Tell your friends and family that you’re finally serious about quitting. They’ll hold you accountable when you’re craving a cigarette, and support you as you begin to achieve your goal.

3. Consider a Vape

People who are trying to quit nicotine cigarettes sometimes fail because they try to go cold turkey. If you don’t have an alternative to satisfy your oral fixation, you may end up right back where you started.

Electronic cigarettes are good replacement for nicotine, and many former cigarette smokers have found success in trading one for the other. Start conducting research on a site like ecigwizard.com. You may determine that this is a good alternative for you.

4. Avoid Your Triggers

For some smokers, the habit is triggered by other situations. Take some time to evaluate when you most often reach for a cigarette. Is it when you’re feeling stressed or anxious? Is it when you’ve been drinking alcohol? Is it when you’re around others who smoke?

Identifying any unique triggers you have is the first step to knowing how to avoid them. The less you’re in those specific situations, the less you’ll reach for cigarettes.

5. Join a Support Group

Your friends and family may be great for holding you accountable and encouraging you to quit. But unless they are smokers or former smokers themselves, they can’t really understand what you’re going through.

Joining a support group of others who are trying to quit smoking is another great way to set yourself up for success. You can share what you’re going through–the victories and the failures–with others who can relate on a more personal level.

Ready to Begin Breaking the Habit?

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been a smoker; there is never a bad time to quit. The process isn’t always an easy one, but it’s well worth it in the end.

For more information on healthier living, please contact us at any time.