Quitting a habit is never easy for people. To change a habit takes time and energy. Quitting smoking is a worthwhile endeavor that reaps many benefits

There are many reasons to quit smoking. Some involve health concerns such as wrinkled skin. Some involve monetary concerns such as the high cost of insurance. Some reasons can be peer or family pressure such as wanting to be a good role model for your child. Any reason is a good reason to quit smoking.

*You need to develop a plan to quit smoking and then you must begin following that plan immediately. Making a plan and not doing anything about is as bad as not making a plan at all.

*Make yourself notes why you want to quit. List all the benefits such as living longer or saving money. Post the notes in several places such as the bathroom mirror, in the car or at your desk to remind yourself daily why you want to quit.

*Practice deep breathing every day for three to five minutes. Breathe in through your nose, hold your breath for a few seconds and exhale slowly through your mouth. By concentrating on breathing you are not thinking about smoking.

*Determine your quit date. By working backwards, determine how many cigarettes you can smoke each day until you reach zero. Also, only buy one pack at a time or change brands to make it more of a chore and less pleasant.

The reasons to quit smoking are as varied as the reasons someone began to smoke in the first place. They may have begun to smoke because of a dare or peer pressure. Most people did not start smoking with the idea that they would become addicted for life.

No matter which method you use or combination of methods, quitting smoking is the best thing anyone can do. It will add years and life to your life that can be enjoyed with family and friends.