Stop Smoking Academy

Even after you quit smoking it will take tremendous will power to resist the urge to start puffing away again. There will always be triggers around which will push you towards the fine line that separates you from smokers. Knowing what these triggers are is the first step to overcome them. This is one of the primary secrets to successful smoking cessation.

Drinking
One very common trigger is drinking, not only alcohol but also coffee or a soft drink. To assist you in breaking your self from associating drinking with smoking, try and change something about the situation. Maybe you always drink your coffee from a particular mug. Try using a different one. Or, you probably enjoy having a beer sitting outdoors on the porch. Try and have it somewhere else so that your surroundings are different. Anything that you can do to change the situation will certainly help reduce the trigger effect of drinking and smoking.

You may even consider cutting back or quit drinking alcohol completely as long as you are trying to quit smoking. This is because a drink may weaken your willpower, making it more likely you will slip up and have a cigarette.

End of a meal
A lot of smokers have a habit of smoking a cigarette after they finish a meal. This slowly becomes a smoking trigger. As a result, every time they finish a meal, they feel a strong desire to have a smoke. If you have this habit, try a new after eating hobby, for example going for a walk, or even a task, such as washing the dishes. Anything that will keep your mind and body diverted at that time will be a great help. Ideally, you should find some other pleasurable activity to do immediately after eating so it will be a new, less destructive habit.

While driving or traveling
Riding or driving a car has now become a popular trigger for smokers, especially because smoking has been banned in so many other places. This has forced smokers to seek refuge, and find a new place to smoke, in their cars. To help with this trigger, get rid of all ashtrays from your vehicle. Or, better still, fill it with something else, such as potpourri. You can even write several reasons for quitting smoking on small pieces of paper and fill your ashtray with them. Play your favorite music and sing along instead of smoking while driving in the car.

While conversing over the phone
Many smokers have the habit of smoking a cigarette while they are on the phone. This leads to the mind linking the two tasks together. When talking on the phone, go to a different room than usual. If this isn’t possible, for example in the workplace, squeeze or play with a small object nearby in order to keep your hands occupied.

Being around others who smoke
Being with other people who are smoking, especially those whom you used to smoke with, can make it even more difficult to stay away from cigarettes. This is partially because of nicotine addiction, but largely due to the trigger effect of the camaraderie of smoking with other smokers. Try keeping away from smoking areas at work or from other popular areas where smokers gather. In fact, a simple break at work can often trigger the desire for a smoke. Try and spend time with people who don’t smoke at this time.

Parties and such other social events where a lot of people smoke can also make it difficult to give up smoking. Of course, avoiding these events is impossible. But, you can avoid going outside with your friends when they have a cigarette. If smoking is allowed inside, or if it is an outdoor party, keep some distance from those who are smoking.

Other Reasons
Some other common smoking triggers are stress, sex, boredom, end of the workday, crisis, a sense of accomplishment, playing cards, reading, waiting, watching television, and sometimes simply getting out of bed. If any of these trigger a desire to smoke, do whatever possible to change the scenario in some way and lessen the trigger effect. For example, rather than rewarding yourself with a cigarette, try rewarding yourself with a bubble bath or something else that will give you pleasure. When going through any stressful situation or a crisis, ask your friends and family for emotional support instead of reaching out for a pack of cigarettes. When watching TV, employ your hands with something else or chew on something to satisfy your oral fixation.