Smoking has a bad reputation and is a risk factor for several diseases. We all agree that it is a health hazard, and one should quit smoking if one can. It’s easier said than done. Quitting smoking is a real challenge for smokers, especially who smoke regularly and for chain smokers. We will discuss a few points you can use to bolster your plan to quit smoking. We hope these might help you emerge victorious in your quest to give up your old habit.
- Why are you quitting?: Before you decide to quit smoking, you have to be very particular about your reason for the same. First of all, find the reason for quitting it. Why did you decide to quit smoking? You need to be clear and stubborn about it so that you don’t give up on it in the long run. There can be several reasons ranging from health conditions to protecting your family. Just focus on the reason and try to cling to it.
- Prepare yourself: Quitting smoking is not easy. It takes a lot of effort because smoking is a kind of addiction. When you are addicted to something, the brain will demand that thing. So, you will have to deal with the withdrawal. You might feel an urge to start smoking again. Hence, you prepare that you will have to face this. You should talk to your doctor or counsellor to know what strategies you will take to handle this. There are many options available like quit smoking classes, apps, counselling, etc.
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy: YYou may have to face the side effects of quitting smoking. You may have nasty headaches, mood swings, or irritation. Your craving for smoking can make things worse. But nicotine replacement therapy can be your pal to support you. You can choose from several ways to get this therapy in line, such as nicotine gum, tablets, and patches. Not only will they help you with the headaches, but they will also increase your chances of success.
- Prescription drugs: Medications can also help to quit smoking and deal with associated problems. They work by making smoking less enjoyable for you. So, even if you light up a cigarette and start to smoke, you may not want to continue doing so. You can also take medicines to deal with the other withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctors to prescribe the medications best for you. Don’t take any medicine without consultation.
- Reach out to your family and friends: Your family and friends can help you to quit smoking. Discuss your plans to quit smoking and what are your strategies to do so. Ask them for their support and care. They can give you the reason and motivation to continue on this path. You can lean on them if you face any difficulty or when it becomes hard for you. In addition, you can join a support group to talk to people going through the same journey. You can learn a lot from them. There are several such communities online. You need to google them.
- Don’t be hard on yourself: You may find it difficult to try to keep your promise. But you should not overdo it. It will only increase your stress level, and you revert to your old habits. Smokers usually smoke to relieve their tension. You should keep this in mind. If you feel it’s too much, you need to relax. Talk to your friend or do something fun. You can even try exercising, tune in to your favorite songs, do meditation, etc. Inculcate anything that helps you to let out your stress.
- Say no to alcohol and other triggers: If you intake alcohol, then it might become even harder to quit smoking. First, try to check the amount of alcohol intake and slowly stop drinking. Avoid any other trigger for smoking if you have one. You can do something else instead of smoking, such as taking a walk, spending time with your friends, chewing a piece of gum, etc.
- Do household chores: Cleaning your house can help you to fill the gaps when you smoke. Just get on your foot and do all the cleaning you can. Wash your clothes, or mop the floor. You can even do the dishes and help your family with other chores. Get rid of the stuff that reminds you of cigarettes or smoking. So, throw away the ashtrays and leftover cigarettes.
-  Don’t stop trying: Even after not smoking for a while, you might light a cigarette. This doesn’t mean that you have lost. Many people go back to smoking a few cigarettes before actually quitting it. So, keep trying until you finally quit smoking. You can learn from your mistakes, for example, what made you smoke. The next time you encounter the trigger, you know what to do. You can maintain a journal or an app to help you to keep a record of such things.
- Alternate approaches: Many have benefited from hypnotherapy and acupuncture. Although we don’t have much proof to support this, you may give it a try. You may also do mindfulness practices like yoga, meditation, and tai chi. These will not only help to boost your mental well-being but help to enhance physical fitness as well.
Summing up
If you are thinking of quitting smoking, then it’s never too late. You should keep trying even if you relapse. The craving might pull you back to the starting line. Try to resist it and remind yourself of all the benefits of why you are quitting. For instance, try picturing your family or your reason for quitting. Keep yourself motivated and plan your strategies well. Today, we have a lot of ways to make this quest easier for you. As the days pass, incoming health benefits will make you cherish your decision to quit.
Source
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking/in-depth/nicotine-craving/art-20045454 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/241302#make-a-list
