The first step to quitting smoking is deciding on a reward for yourself when you're finished. Whether it's a shopping trip, a relaxing day at the spa, or even a little luxury item you've longed for. Even if you are on the road to recovery from smoking, it's never too early to start thinking about the rewards you'll have by stopping smoking. For some people, this reward can be as simple as a day off from work, but if you are recovering from smoking, chances are you will need something more than a day off. In these cases, it's important to be creative and figure out other ways to motivate yourself.
If you are starting out your plan to quit, you might consider offering yourself something you'd rather not do. You'll likely think of a lot of things that you don't like doing, such as cleaning out the house, mowing the lawn, or cleaning the house after meals. Perhaps your favored pastime is smoking, so offering yourself a hobby in which you're not interested is a great way to motivate yourself while quitting smoking. For example, if you'd prefer to spend your free time reading books, playing video games, or gardening, think up activities that you'd enjoy but which will take away some of the physical nicotine. These types of activities are much easier to quit than cigarettes since they simply don't offer any physical pleasure.
Many people use reward systems while they quit, by giving themselves points or gifts whenever they reach a goal. For instance, many reward systems focus on getting a certain number of days off from cigarettes. Other reward systems offer pets or trips to the spa every so often, as well as money off food or merchandise. You can also offer yourself money, as well. While you are quitting, you can make use of your bankbook to pay for things you might normally buy. The idea is to make the reward more useful than simply something to boost your ego.
Some smokers make the mistake of only using rewards from cigarettes. This can lead to a lack of motivation when you're first quitting. However, it's important to keep in mind that you'll be able to have fun while you quit smoking, so stick with your plan and use your reward system in moderation. Don't feel bad if you don't succeed the first time you try this method, because you'll probably get discouraged and give up eventually.
Another common mistake many new quitters make is not paying attention to how they look when they're not smoking. Smokers tend to be very self-conscious about how their clothes look while they quit. If you have a unique style or color in your clothes while you're not a smoker, now would be a great time to start wearing them more often. If you like the way your clothes look while you aren't smoking, then you'll probably be less self-conscious when you put them on and off. In this way, your reward for quitting will be more personal and meaningful.
Deciding on a reward for quitting isn't something everyone is good at. It's especially hard for many smokers to imagine anything besides getting rid of a pack of cigarettes. There are, however, many activities and things you can do to distract yourself while you quit. For example, why not go out for an evening of dancing? You could choose to do anything, just don't choose to do the same thing every time.