When you decide to quit smoking, it is one of the most significant decisions of your life that you make. But what you need to know is that it will be a long road ahead, and patience is the key to success here. While you are in the process, the urge to smoke will hit you several times. But with the right strategies in place, you can curb the urges. 

So, here are some ways that can help you quit smoking.

1. Prepare in advance
Quitting smoking will require just more than throwing away the box of cigarettes out in the bin. It is an addiction, and your brain is used to getting nicotine supply. When you cut out the nicotine supply, you will have withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, you need to prepare in advance. Reach your doctor and ask them all the necessary ways that will help you stick to your plan. There are classes, counseling sessions, apps, and medicines that will prevent you from smoking again. Make sure you know about these and have everything planned.

2. Keep a snack or gum handy
Your brain develops a smoking schedule. So, when you quit smoking, your brain is still in the habit of your body doing something as per the schedule. Therefore, you will feel the urge to smoke at that time of the day when you used to go for a cigarette. To fight these urges, you should give your body something to do whenever you need to smoke. Grab a healthy, crunchy snack. You can go for celery, carrots, nut, or seeds. If the craving does not go away, try chewing sugar-free gum. 

3. Try nicotine replacement therapy
Due to withdrawal symptoms, you can experience headaches, mood swings, and a lack of energy. Your mind will start craving just one puff of a cigarette. But with nicotine replacement therapy, you can fight these urges. Some studies show nicotine in the form of gums, patches, and lozenges can help you stick to your plan.

4. Keep your hands busy
When you are trying to quit smoking, you might find that your hands have become fidgety. Earlier, your hands were busy grabbing a cigarette, but now that they are sitting idle, they have a temptation to do something. So, you must find something to keep your hand busy. You can choose a puzzle game that will help you keep your brain as well as your hands occupied. At work, you can grab a hard squeeze ball whenever you find your hands fidgeting around. You can also take up a hobby like woodworking or knitting. You can enroll in a hobby class. This will keep you busy and will also let you develop a new hobby.