Quitting smoking, getting out of the hellish circle of addiction, requires strong motivation. Indeed, we know the power of the phenomenon of psychological and physical dependence. We also are aware of the functioning of brain biology on pleasure and reward. So, the dependent person must be highly motivated if he or she wants to be free. But what is motivation, and what role does it play in the withdrawal process? Let's discover that together.
A definition of motivation
According to the French Dico des définitions and from the point of view of psychology and philosophy, motivation refers to «all those things that motivate a person to carry out certain actions and to persist in them until they achieve their objectives. The concept of motivation is also associated to willingness and interest.
In other words, motivation is the willingness to make an effort and achieve the objectives set.
Motivation implies the existence of a necessity, which may be absolute, relative, pleasure or luxury. When a person is motivated to (do) «something», he or she considers that this "something" is necessary or appropriate.
Therefore, motivation is the link that makes us act to meet this need.»
Moreover, Le Dico adds, «There are several reasons that drive motivation: rational, emotional, egocentric, altruistic, attractive or rejecting, among others.»
The importance of motivation in smoking cessation
In the quitting process, to turn fears into courage, real motivation is needed. It is clear that the more motivated you are, the less difficult it will be for you to quit. A person who is not sufficiently motivated will experience more frustration while getting out of his or her addiction. The withdrawal process, although feasible by everyone without exception, can however be very challenging, namely because of discouragement phases and the temptation to abandon.
But don't panic! The more time passes, the less you feel the lack. This is something that we tend to forget too much when the urge for a cigarette arises, and it is a very good reason to hold on and take up the challenge you have set yourself. That is the price to pay to regain your freedom!
What are the steps to follow to motivate yourself and resist the urge to smoke?
We have identified 3 major steps for you to keep motivated and on track.
- The first one is to identify the reasons for your withdrawal. Of course, these are personal and vary from one person to another. Thus, the reasons may concern savings, the choice to indulge in something else, to regain a form of freedom, to preserve one's personal health, the health of one's spouse or children, or, for a pregnant woman, to take care of the expected child, etc. Acknowledging your reasons to quit will reinforce your motivation.
- The second step is to prepare yourself for quitting smoking. Indeed, it is rare to drop your smoking habits on the spur of a moment, impulsively. It is necessary that you prepare yourself mentally. During this phase, if you have experienced previous failures, it is essential that you identify the reasons that led to your relapse. This way, based on your experience, you will be able to face the obstacles that had previously made you doubt your ability to quit smoking.
- In the third and final stage, it is sometimes necessary to be accompanied in this process to give yourself the maximum chances of success and not to run towards a new failure. Feel free to try Kwit, a non-drug solution that offers you daily and personalized support. As for motivation, all you have to do is shake your phone and a motivation card will appear! That will give you back the strength to continue your journey towards a smoke-free life.
