Quitting smoking can be difficult, especially if you’re unprepared and unsure about how or why you want to quit. Whilst kicking the habit for good can be tough, the hardest part can be having the right plan and making yourself aware of the help available throughout the quitting process.

So, here are five tips to help you approach quitting.

• Prepare a quiet day

As soon as you have decided to quit smoking, plan a specific date to quit. It’s important to pick a day that is not too far away, so you don’t change your mind, yet not immediately as you’ll need time to prepare. Along with this, you’ll need to decide whether you want to quit altogether as soon as your quit date arrives, or gradually by limiting yourself to fewer cigarettes per day. It’s important to remember there’s no preferred or proven way to quit that’s better than another – simply choose which suits you.

• Use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)

There are many available NRTs to help people quit cigarettes including:

• Patches
• Chewing gum
• Lozenges
• Inhalers
• Nasal sprays

These are all helpful to people looking to quit as they can reduce cravings or withdrawals for nicotine, while slowly weaning you off cigarettes. They supply a controlled dose of nicotine yet eliminate the harmful chemicals in tobacco.

• Write down reasons you want to quit

Writing down exact reasons why you want to quit can be one of the biggest motivations. If you’re looking to quit immediately, having reminders on objects you see frequently (such as fridges, mirrors etc.) can work for some people as a visual reminder.

Whether it be simply wanting to improve your health or to set a good example for your children, having these reminders will be an added motivation.

• Seek support if needed

There’s no argument that quitting is hard, which is why it’s important to remember to seek support if needed. Depending on your location, there are many helplines and support services available – simply search or ask your doctor for additional information.

As well as this, there is available behavioral support such as individual counseling, phone and online support, written information or group therapy. Don’t feel like you need to quit on your own, there are many support systems there to help.

• Try therapies

Though there is no medical evidence to support alternative therapies, they are becoming increasingly popular.

They include:

• Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes)
• Tobacco strips or sticks
• Hypnosis
• Acupuncture
• Yoga
• Meditation

If you’re planning to quit, it’s important to consider all options and even consult with a doctor as to which may be the most beneficial in terms of your health.