Cigarette smoking is one of the most addictive substances there is. Each year, millions of people try to quit and many of them succeed. But many of them fail. In order not to fail when you stop-smoking, you should make it a point to make some changes in your lifestyle so that you have a better chance of remaining smoke free.

One thing that you should do is to find something else to do with your time when you normally have a smoking break. If you find that you are going outside to have a cigarette each day at 10 a.m., find something else to do with that break time. You can read a magazine or even practice some sort of art form for that quick break. Anything but going outside where you will feel inclined to have a cigarette.

When you stop-smoking, it is a good idea to tell your friends. This way you can enlist their support to help you stop-smoking. If you feel the urge for a cigarette, talk to one of your encouraging friends who will warn you off the cigarette. Friends like to be of use, so use them in this way. Promise to do the same thing for someone else as a way to pay back this debt.

Many people find that it is very difficult to go to a bar when you are trying to stop-smoking. Alcohol loosens your inhibitions and makes you want to do things that you know you should not. Try avoiding bars for a while or go to those that are smoke free. This is at least until you get over the one month hump where you can say that you are smoke free. It takes 48 hours for the nicotine to get out of your system and the physical dependency on cigarettes to subside. Once this is over, you have only a psychological dependency on smoking cigarettes.

Make some lifestyle changes to help you stop-smoking by finding something to do with your hands while you are watching television or other times when you are normally smoking. You can try needlework, drawing, or even using a finger exercise ball to give you something to do when you are sitting there, aching for a cigarette.

Speaking of exercise, try incorporating exercise into your life once you stop-smoking. Many people who stop-smoking end up gaining weight after they quit. Cigarette cravings tend to feel like food cravings. Instead of eating, exercise. Once you make up your mind to stop-smoking, make these changes in your lifestyle and you will see that you not only feel better about yourself, but you look better as well.