Have You Committed to Your Quit Date?

It takes courage to put down that last cigarette and quit smoking. Most people feel an intense combination of fear and excitement leading up to their quit date. Feeling afraid to quit smoking is completely normal, and is a by-product of addiction. Don't let that fear paralyze you, however, because the benefits you'll experience once you quit are well worth the work it takes to achieve.

Breaking the binding chains from years of associating literally everything we did in our lives to smoking created powerful links in the chain of psychological dependence we had on nicotine. We thought we enjoyed smoking. We convinced ourselves that smoking calmed our nerves and helped us think more clearly. We thought of cigarettes as a friend, a companion, a buddy. We thought smoking helped us have more fun and enjoy life more fully. Logically, we knew better, but addiction can make people rationalize and justify all kinds of crazy notions.

The truth of the matter is......smokers like the feeling they get when the nicotine level in their bloodstream is replenished. From the time a cigarette is stubbed out until the next one is lit, smokers are in a state of physical withdrawal from nicotine. The more time between cigarettes, the more severe the withdrawal, resulting in edginess, inability to concentrate, and even feelings of depression. It's a vicious, never ending cycle. And that's addiction, folks, not smoking enjoyment.

Support is a key ingredient to a solid quit smoking program. Your resolve will be bolstered more than you can imagine just by being around others who have the same goals you do. Visit here often to validated your journey. Remember, quitting tobacco is a process that takes time.

Your first step is to commit to the date -- the next is to stay committed.