The 5 "D's" to Help Stop Smoking

Drink water or fruit juice to help flush the nicotine out of your system.

Deep Breathe from your abdomen. Avoid shallow breathing. Lie on the floor with a piece of paper on your navel, trying to lift the paper by using your breath. Breathe deeply through your nose, exhaling through your mouth.

Do something else. Get your mind off the cigarette. Keep your hands busy. Engage in substitute activities.
~ Play a musical instrument
~ Play computer games, game boy
~ Doodle or sketch
~ Read a book or magazine
~ Start a new hobby
~ Do a crossword puzzle
~ Knit, crochet, needlepoint
~ Do house or yard work
~ Clean out the closets
~ Give yourself a manicure or pedicure
~ Shampoo the dog
~ Chew on a straw, cinnamon stick, toothpick, clove, gum
~ Brush your teeth
~ Take a shower or slash cold water on your face.
~ Balance your checkbook
~ Surf the Internet
~ Try eating unshelled, unsalted sunflower seeds. Eat one at a time
~ Exercise
~ Go for a brisk walk. If you cannot walk outside, walk the interior of a mall.
~ Ride a bike
~ Go for a swim
~ Lift weights
~ Climb a flight of stairs instead of using the elevator
~ Stretch, touch your toes, do jumping jacks
~ Park a block or two away from your destination and walk

Delay ~ Wait it out, a craving will often fade and disappear in a few minutes
~ Count to 300
~ Say to yourself, “I'll think of cigarettes in 5 minutes”, then go do something else
~ Talk yourself out of it, tell yourself “This craving isn’t going to last, it is only temporary”.
~ Remember the craving will go away whether or not you smoke.

Discuss with a friend ~ Call a non-smoking support person
~ Go to a nicotine anonymous meeting
~ Your best support may be someone that has kept you at a distance because you smoke, seek
out others who are going through the quitting process now, or have successful quit in the past
~ Avoid people who will tempt you to return to smoking