By knowing the reasons why people fail to quit smoking - when its your turn you will know what to be aware of. The following is 7 things you must look out for to achieve a successful result of a healthier and happier smoke free life.

1. I can't handle the withdrawal symptoms. You experience a number of discomforts when you refrain from smoking - the worst being irritability. It may take 21 days to conquer the withdrawal symptoms but many people are pretty much free from them in 10 days. Be prepared for these situations and know that you are extremely vulnerable to relapse in this time frame, try to avoid tempting situations.

2. I don't have a plan to quit. You have a far more greater chance at success by planning. Set a quit date and then keep a journal and record the time, place, situation and how you were feeling when you had a cigarette. Getting over the nicotine addiction only takes a few weeks, changing habits is the hard part! Know what your habits are and when you have your cigarettes and have a plan in place to get through these situations without having a cigarette.

3. Life is boring and incomplete without cigarettes and I am not being social with my friends. Just remember, life is so much active and fulfilling once you are free from cigarettes. Once you have the demons out of your body - your mind will think differently and you will realise I don't need cigarettes to have fun! Cigarettes take control over you and your time and if you don't have one your stress levels and anxiety increase. Giving away the cigarettes gives you your mind back and you are no longer controlled by the demons. Once you have quit for a while, you will wonder how you ever had fun lighting up those cancer sticks!

4. I was gaining weight. Many smokers do find themselves eating more after they quit smoking to satisfy withdrawal cravings. As part of you quit smoking plan, include half an hour of exercise every day, substitute unhealthy snacks with water and healthy fruits and vegetable. Chewing gum is also great for helping with cravings. Be conscious of what you are putting into your body and keep active and you will not gain a lot of weight.

5. I had no support. You will have friends who smoke so getting a quit buddy can really increase your chances of successfully quitting smoking. Publicise your decision to quit, ask your friends and family to be helpful during this period and explain that times will be tough for a while and ask for their tolerance. Having a great support network you can call upon will help you through those dark times.

6. It's only one cigarette, I will start again tomorrow. This one was the hardest lesson of all for me! It is that one cigarette that will set you back to square one every single time. To be completely free "mentally" from the habit you MUST HAVE ZERO TOLERANCE, you have an addictive personality and must have the mental attitude that even one cigarette will mean I have to start all over again. That one cigarette always turns into 2, 3 and then before you know it you are buying packets again!

7. I didn't believe in myself. You will only quit smoking if you truly believe deep down its what you want and you must find that determination and willpower. My experience was I was strong nearly the whole time but there were moments that arose where I truly needed a cigarette. I call these the 'dark times'. You must believe in yourself and remind yourself why you are doing these and then let yourself feel the pain. It hurts I know but you will get over it and be stronger than before.

For a comprehensive guide on how to quit smoking, take a look at the book "Freedom From Smoking - No More Dirty Ashtrays".

http://quitsmoking.bradgoodchild.com

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