When people think of dangerous habits, you can almost guarantee the first thing they’ll think about is smoking. 

This is with good reason: smoking is thought to be responsible for 80-90% of all lung cancer cases – and that’s not to mention the associated financial drain, the negative impact on your physical appearance, or the serious psychological effects of addiction. 

We could talk endlessly about the benefits of smoking cessation, but ultimately, knowing these facts isn’t going to make much difference when the inevitable cravings set in. The most important thing is to have some actionable steps to help along the way, and in this article, that’s exactly what we’re going to take a look at. 

Here are three steps you can take today to help you along your journey to beat nicotine addiction. 

Setting a Date and Mentally Preparing

Quitting smoking requires a substantial commitment, so it helps to be very deliberate in your approach. This starts with setting a specific quit date: pick a point of at least a week from now to allow yourself to properly prepare, and choose a point at which you know you can commit to the work ahead from then on. Once you’ve decided, it’s time to prep yourself for the mental challenge. 

While there’s no way to avoid the struggle, there are certain things you can do to make the process less of an abrupt shock to your system. One of the best things to do is gradually tapering off the number of cigarettes you smoke each day as you build towards your cessation date; another consideration is identifying triggers – such as specific social situations, stressful points in the day, or specific time points at which you reach for a cigarette. 

Utilizing Vapes

Vape have been found to be substantially less harmful than smoking, so if you’re looking to drastically reduce the health risks of the addiction as you work towards total cessation, this route can be a good option. 

Another positive aspect of vapes is that they don’t carry the risk of some of the less problematic but still unpleasant aspects of cigarette smoking, such as the strong smell and dental or finger staining. There’s also a huge array of different flavors on offer, so you’re guaranteed a much better taste than with traditional smokes!

Building a Support Network

Finally, one of the most crucial aspects of quitting smoking is having a strong support network of friends, family, and professionals. While it’s ultimately you who has to walk the walk, so to speak, having people there to guide you through it at the really hard points can make all the difference. 

Making use of a peer support group can be invaluable, but if this isn’t for you, simply having a single close friend or family member to catch you when you fall is enough. That said, the more people you have there for you the better; a problem halved is a problem shared, and to share your journey with multiple people augments that sentiment further. 

Wrapping Up

Quitting smoking is one of the toughest things you’ll ever do – but it’s also one of the most worthwhile decisions you can make. Stay strong, lean on others for support, be systematic and consistent in your approach, and you’ll reap the rewards for the rest of your life.