Wanting is the first step - For those of you who want to stop smoking, it is important to get informed. Check out these specialists' tips, recommended steps, alternative therapies and foods that can help you.

© Istock Photo

Believe in yourself - Start off by listing difficult things you've already achieved or were able to conquer. Think positive and believe that you can stop smoking.

© Istock Photo

Reasons to quit - List the reasons why you want to quit smoking: to live longer, improve your health, for your family, to save money...make sure you know how bad smoking is for you and that your life can improve.

© Istock Photo

Share the decision - Ask for support from your family and friends, without them judging or supervising you. Let them know in advance that you might become irritable and lose your temper on some occasions.

© Istock Photo

Set a day to stop - Set a date and get ready for what's to come. Prepare your mind for the first day of the rest of your life. You can even perform a ritual and smoke your last cigarette.

© Istock Photo

See a doctor - With the help of specialists, it gets easier. A doctor can offer you guidance and follow the entire process, including prescribing medication, if necessary.

© Istock Photo

Exercise - Exercise can decrease stress and help your body to recover from the damage caused by smoking. You should start slowly, with 30 to 40 minutes walks, 2 or 3 times a week.

© Istock Photo

Breathing exercises - There's a lot of techniques but breathing deeply for 3 to 5 minutes can be of great help. Close your eyes, inhale slowly through your nose, hold your breath for a few seconds and breath out slowly through your mouth.

© Istock Photo

Use technology - There are more than 40 apps that can help you to quit smoking. In addition to giving you motivation, they also keep a record of your achievements, provide you with information and help you in your progression.

© Istock Photo

Clean the house - A good tip is to remove all smoking objects from your home, such as ashtrays, lighters or old cigarette packs.

© iStock

Avoid the smell - This applies to everything, starting with your home. Wash your bed sheets, curtains, towels, clothes and any object that might smell of cigarettes.

© Istock Photo

Look at motivational images - It might seem weird, but looking at images of what cigarettes can do to you, can give an extra motivation to quit for good. Scary images of lungs and diseases make it harder to light up a cigarette.

© Pixabay

Always have chewing gum with you - This is one of the most used techniques. It is believed that moving the mouth and mind will result in a feeling of wellbeing, which will facilitate the process.

© Istock Photo

Acupuncture - This alternative therapy helps the organs to work properly. This includes the liver, which is affected a lot by cigarettes, mainly during abstinence.

© Istock Photo

Auriculotherapy - It's a type of acupuncture specific to the ear. The treatments reduce anxiety - the hardest part of the process, and work in specific organs such as the lungs.

© Istock Photo

Hypnotherapy - Studies say that after a treatment consisting of weekly hypnotherapy sessions for the duration of 6 months, it is possible to note differences in 70% of the patients.

© Istock Photo

Relax - The psychological suffering and stress caused by abstinence, mainly during the first few weeks, can be controlled through meditation. After 8 sessions, 56% of patients were able to stop smoking.

© Istock Photo

Drink lots of water - It is recommended to drink the minimum of 2 liters per day so that toxins can be easily flushed out through urine.

© Pixabay

Lobelia - A very effective plant when it comes fighting nicotine abstinence. It is usually found in medicines used to stop smoking. A different way to consume it is to brew tea with it.

© Istock Photo

Dairy - Consuming these foods will stimulate the production of serotonin, the peacefulness hormone, which will inhibit the anxiety caused by tobacco.

© Istock Photo

Yeast - A source of B-complex vitamins that work in the nervous system and control the anxiety caused by nicotine withdrawal. A yeast supplement can be consumed in powder form or in capsules.

© Istock Photo

Ginger - Abstinence causes many symptoms, such as nausea and sickness. Ginger has a warming effect in the body which helps to promote perspiration and the elimination of toxins in the body.

© Istock Photo

Orange juice - Regular smokers lose a lot of vitamin C. The body compensates by using non-natural elements found in nicotine. For this reason, it is important to consume foods rich in this vitamin.

© Istock Photo

Broccoli - It prevents lung diseases. During the digestive process, its fibers help in the production of serotonin.

© Istock Photo

Oats - In addition to being an excellent food to add to any ex-smoker's diet, it also helps to reduce anxiety.

© Istock Photo

Brown rice - Rice has high concentrations of selenium, a powerful antioxidant mineral. It eliminates the free radicals caused by smoking.

© Istock Photo

Peppermint - Peppermint's strong smell helps you not to want to light a cigarette. We recommend using chewing gum with this flavor as well as drinking teas for the treatment of digestive problems, gas and nausea.

© Istock Photo

St John's Wort - It's a herb with flowers and leaves used to make remedies to treat depression and nicotine addiction. It can be easily found as liquid drops and flowers. It also helps to fight anxiety.

© Istock Photo

Cayenne pepper - This can be used especially to stop cravings. It also helps to alleviate and prevent the harmful effects caused by cigarettes in the lungs.

© Istock Photo

Valerian - A Valerian root tea before bed can reduce stress, anxiety and irritability caused by nicotine withdrawal.

© Istock Photo

Ginseng - This plant inhibits the release of dopamine; a neurotransmitter responsible for giving us the pleasure and feel-good sensation provided by nicotine.

© Istock Photo