Strategies to keep on track

You may have a set of willpower ideas that you use or plan to use. You may have even been able to talk yourself out of smoking and into staying a non-smoker when a craving occurred on this or a previous attempt.

If that's the case, well done!

However, just as willpower is like a muscle, further ideas can strengthen that 'muscle'

Let's look at cravings

If you're looking at adding some new ideas to your own set of willpower strategies to help stay on track, below is a menu of suggestions.  Different willpower strategies work for different people.  It is not known which ones might help or won't help, however some people have reported that these willpower thoughts have helped them get through tricky situations.

The idea is to catch a craving early before it has time to develop.

Some people notice that typically with cravings, a thought such as 'One won't hurt' or 'maybe I'll only have one' can enter their mind. This can make things tricky!

The knack is recognise it: "this is a craving, if I use my willpower it will pass". Tackle that craving with another powerful thought.  Remember cravings usually peak at five minutes and pass by 10 minutes.

Here are some examples that could help

1. Try countering the thought!
2. Try repeating in your mind a self-belief booster!
3. Try a visualisation!