Most smokers are aware of the fact that smoking is not just bad for their own health, but also for those around them. They know that it is better for them to quit, but are unable to do so. Whether you are a lifetime pack-a-day smoker or a teen smoker, quitting smoking is easier said than done. Kicking the habit is one of the toughest things you may ever have to do. The good news is that there is plenty of help available as there are several ways you can go about this process.
Once you have made up your mind, you can use the following tips to help you quit smoking:
1. Know your reason
First things first, you need to identify the reason you want to quit smoking because this will be your motivation when you are tempted. Therefore, it has to be powerful enough that you can resist any strong tobacco urges. It can be anything from reducing your chances of getting heart disease, lung cancer or other conditions or it can be to protect your family from secondhand smoke.
2. Be ready before you go ‘Cold Turkey’
Cold turkey quitting basically means that you stop smoking altogether. Instead of weaning yourself off slowly or using other alternatives, you just get rid of all the packs and stop smoking. The problem is that smoking is an addiction and without getting your dose of nicotine, your brain and body will go into withdrawal. Thus, you may not be able to last long if you go cold turkey. If it’s a new addiction, then cold turkey might do you good. Otherwise, try other methods.
3. Consider using nicotine-replacement therapy
As mentioned earlier, you suffer from withdrawal when you quit smoking. This can affect your mood, give you headaches and also sap your energy. You will crave for even one drag of a cigarette, which can be tough to suppress. Nicotine replacement therapy can help in this situation. There are nicotine patches, lozenges and gum that can provide you with your daily dose of nicotine and counter the urges.
4. Vaping
A short term for vaporizing, vaping essentially means that you inhale vapor through an e-cigarette or vape pen. Quitting smoking with a vape pen has become a popular option these days because the vapor is tobacco free. It creates the same environment as that of usual cigarettes like vapor seems like smoke, but without the harmful side effects. It satisfies the psychological element of your addiction, which makes it easier for you to quit smoking.
5. Find out about prescription pills
There are some medicines that can curb your cravings for a cigarette and reduce your satisfaction when you smoke one. There are also medicines that can help you in dealing with the withdrawal symptoms such as problems with concentration, headaches and depression.
6. Get support from your loved ones
Having someone support you during this process can make it a whole lot easier. They can serve as your conscience when you are highly tempted to just light one up. They can encourage you to be strong and keep going. Another option is to join a support group where you can talk to others who are trying to quit. Talking to people who are going through the same things you are is going to be a huge help. You can also see a counselor who can aid you in identifying strategies that help you quit.
7. Avoid triggers
You need to avoid triggers that often lead to smoking. For instance, drinking alcohol can tempt you to smoke. Also, if you habitually smoked after drinking coffee, it might be a better idea to switch to coffee.
Following these tips is going to help you quit smoking effectively in the long term.