Everyone knows the risk a person has if they continue to smoke, from cancer to other lung issues. Moreover, when you smoke, the people nearby you are also at risk of developing diseases due to exposure to secondary smoking. It can also aggravate your or others’ asthma or allergies.
It may look cool, but smoking has no benefits. Romanticizing smoking is one of the reasons why so many teens are becoming addicted to it. Thus, quitting smoking at the earliest is necessary. It is challenging to quit, and you may slip up quite a few times. Yet, it is possible, and you shouldn’t give up.
Here are a few efficient tips to follow to leave smoking.
Use nicotine replacement therapy.
Nicotine replacement therapy is an ideal option for individuals looking to quit smoking. There are many options here, like:
- Using prescription nicotine in Australia or UK within an inhaler or nasal spray
- Nicotine patches or gum, which doesn’t require prescriptions
- Non-nicotine-stopping drugs are available via prescriptions.
- Nicotine-replacement therapy works to curb intense and immediate cravings. At the same time, they are safe for a long-time, helping people quit smoking.
Find a reason to stay motivated.
Everyone needs a reason for quitting the thing they are addicted to, and smoking is no different. What is your reason? Do you want to:
- Improve your quality of life?
- Safe your near & dear ones from second-hand smoke?
- Reduce your chances of lung cancer or other diseases associated with smoke.
- Look younger?
Find a reason and use it as your motivation to stay on track. Then, ask your trusted person to keep you accountable using this reason. It will ensure you don’t slip back into old habits.
Join a support group
To leave smoking behind, you need a lot of help. So, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Apart from your near & dear ones, other people can also help you stay accountable. A support group helps you stay on track, appreciates your little milestones, and is a safe place to talk about relapse or any emotional issues you are going through while on your way to quitting smoking. Thus, ask your healthcare provider to provide you with the best support group list in your area, which you can join.
Avoid triggers
Smoking is an addiction and sometimes a response to your situation. So first, identify what triggers you and gives you an urge to smoke. When you identify these triggers, you can avoid those situations. That will help you quit smoking properly. For instance, most people smoke when they are at a party or when they are stressed, and so on. So identify what triggers your urge and change it up. For instance, if you are stressing over a deadline, try meditating or talking about the same with your peers instead of smoking. These small changes can help your quitting process become a success.
Get some physical activity.
When you distract your body with physical activity, it can help you avoid the urge to smoke. Also, it releases endorphins, which help reduce cravings and stress. So go for a run or a brisk walk. Or sweat it out in the gym, and you feel better. If you get a craving in the office, try squats and simple chair yoga poses to feel better.
Go for cognitive behavioral therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you quit smoking. This therapy helps individuals train their minds to leave behaviors that aren’t good for them. It is counseling and can benefit you in making the whole process easier on yourself.
Lean on family/friends
As mentioned above, have people who can hold you accountable. You don’t have to complete this journey alone. Take support from family and friends whom you trust. If you are in a situation triggering your urge to smoke, call them. Tell them what is going on and find a way to overcome the urge to smoke.
Practice daily meditation
Meditation gives you time to reflect, collect your thoughts, and stress less. Thus, practicing meditation daily can help you be better at quitting smoking.
The time to quit smoking in any form was yesterday. But, if you want to quit, know that there is help, and life after quitting will only be beautiful.
