5 tips to help quit smoking
Quitting smoking is extremely difficult for most people. The cravings that our body feels as a result of smoking can be almost impossible to resist. With the multitude of studies highlighting the health risks of smoking, more smokers than ever are trying to kick the habit.
The tobacco industry is notorious for being deceptive and for using horrible tactics to keep us hooked on their cancer sticks. You only need to look in the news over the last few years to see how evil they actually are, with stories popping up all over the country like the Flue-cured tobacco settlements, we don’t blame you for wanting to quit.
We have compiled some tried and tested tricks and tips for you here, and hopefully, if you follow some of the guidance here, you can finally quit for good.
Try nicotine therapy
If you tell your doctor that you want to quit smoking, they may offer you nicotine replacement therapy. These prescription treatments may include inhalers or chewing gum containing nicotine.
These are best used when the craving for a cigarette arises. When you feel that urge for a smoke, pop a nicotine chewing gum, or take a blast from the inhaler to give your body a quick nicotine shot, this should reduce your cravings dramatically.
You could also use E-Cigarettes, although the jury is still out on the safety of these devices, they are still at least 90% better for you than traditional cigarettes.
Avoid your triggers
The urge to have a cigarette often comes on strongest during situations where you used to smoke a lot. While drinking, stressed, or after eating are all extremely common triggers. If you can identify these triggers, you can try to avoid them. If you can’t avoid them, often realizing that the craving has come from one of these triggers will give you the ability to resist either way.
The delay tactic
A tactic that is widely adopted is the delay tactic. This is where, when the urge to smoke appears, you tell yourself you will wait ten minutes before giving in. During these ten minutes, try and find something to distract yourself. Often by doing this, you will be able to resist the urge entirely. This tactic actually applies to a range of addictions, such as shopping and drinking.
Exercise
Exercise is known to release feel-good endorphins into your body; these endorphins make you feel good and often fuel your willpower. On top of that, you are much less likely to smoke after going to the gym or exercising as your brain will not want you to ruin the good work you have just done.
We know quitting smoking is hard, but hopefully, by following the above tips and tricks, you have some more tools in your arsenal. Above all else, think of the huge health benefits you will receive by not smoking, not only will you feel better, you will smell better and probably live longer too. Think of your family, and they want you to be around for as long as possible, remember!
If you are about to quit smoking, we wish you the best of luck, YOU CAN DO IT!