by Darren Warmuth
Finding a support system that works for you is crucial in becoming a non-smoker. It needn't be a lonely, isolated journey which you take by yourself. Whether it be via an online forum, local church group, or through family and friends (exercise caution here), the key is to find people to help you in times of strife.
The online support option is fantastic for those who have limited time in which to establish a local system. By joining up with community forums that host a smoking cessation board, you get the opportunity to speak with others looking to accomplish the same goal you are.
When searching out these forums, be sure to find one that has the differing stages of quitting smoking broken down so that you can go straight to the area which would help you most. Find the posts that coincide with the challenges you are facing at the time and again, you will find that others will have had challenges with the very same issues.
Family and friends, on the other hand, can be a blessing or a curse. They may feel that they are being 'extra' supportive by inquiring repeatedly on how you are doing, but this can become downright irritating and in worst cases, actually cause you to relapse.
Many family members and friends mean well and think they're being encouraging by doing this, when you're going through withdrawal symptoms and are naturally more agitated, this can be detrimental to your success. Sometimes just discussing this with them, before your quit day, can help nip it in the bud and make it a smoother transition.
Another option that a lot of people have found very helpful, is finding a local smoking cessation group. Often these group meetings may be held in a local hospital, at a library, or sometimes they meet at a church. Often you can find these meetings offered for free, or at the very least low cost in most cases.
Community support group meetings generally only last for an hour or so, but they are great place to make personal contact with others striving to become non-smokers. And it is this personal contact with a support buddy that could be just the help you need in staying smoke-free forever.
Although some methods of support are better than others, the important thing is that you have some to begin with - before you quit smoking. For without the support, quitting smoking is going to be one of the hardest tasks you are ever going to do. No sense doing it alone.
About the Author:
Need help to stop smoking ? Darren Warmuth has some more advice on helping you quit smoking . Just click the link here!
