10 Tips to Quit Smoking
We all know how dangerous smoking is for our health yet often find ourselves unable to quit. Tobacco addiction is a problem all smokers face. Studies show tobacco cravings are intense yet short lived. It’s important to believe that you are not at the mercy of tobacco cravings and your nicotine drive cannot control your life. PositiveMed brings you a list of some easy ways to quit smoking and do your lungs the favor of lifetime.
1. DelayWhenever you feel you cannot control the urge to smoke try to delay your decision by distracting yourself to something else. This distraction will delay your tobacco craving and reduce the number of cigarettes smoked in a day.
2. Keep movingStudies show that those who keep moving and stay active physically tend to crave tobacco less than people who don’t. A simple walk around the block may also lead to release of anti-craving chemicals in the body.
3. Be socialWhen you decide to quit smoking talk about it as much as you can. In a study conducted in Australia it was found that people who talked to others about quitting had better chances. If you talk to people about the evil effects of smoking, it spreads awareness while getting you the support you need.
4. Chew moreIf you keep your mouth busy you will have less time to smoke. Try chewing gum or munching on a carrot, sunflower seeds, or nuts. This will leave you with a satisfying and crunchy snack which will be good for you instead of harmful.
5. Make non-smoking friendsResearch shows that we smoke more when we are with other smokers. Try to socialize with people who don’t smoke. Stay at a distance from people who smoke while they do so. Maintaining this distance will help you avoid cravings.
6. Stress lessMany people smoke more to cope with the amount of stress they have. Try to stay happy and adopt other stress management techniques such as yoga and meditation. You can also spend your idle time pursuing hobbies which leave you with little time to smoke.
7. Think about the benefits of quittingThink about the reasons that made you decide to quit smoking. Tell yourself that you can do it and decide what matters more to you, smoking or the urge to quit. Take it as a challenge and try to stick to your quitting plan. Set a realistic target and focus on making daily improvement, make moves to approach that target.
8. Identify triggersTry to think of times that you smoke or things you do while smoking. Often people smoke while they are driving or watching TV. Some people smoke in bars and restaurants while some smoke before going to bed. Identify trigger events and use a plan.
9. Change your dietThere are foods that make cigarettes taste good or bad. Studies show foods like meat and hamburgers make smoking taste better while foods like cheese, fruit, and vegetables do not.
10. Believe in yourselfThis is perhaps the most important tip to quitting. Go for it with full force and strengthen your willpower. Watch inspiring and motivational movies to stay positive.
10 Tips to Quit Smoking
By PositiveMed Team
Edited by Stephanie Dawson
