The nicotine in tobacco smoke gives a sense of relaxation. Addicted people experience stress when they try to refuse from cigarettes. To become free from your harmful habit, you need to know how to overcome possible stumbling blocks. The following tips will empower you in the battle for the healthier life.
1. Eliminate triggers
Clean your house and car from smoking paraphernalia. Cigarettes, ashtrays, and lighters will remind you of the habit.
Smoke odors can also create an urge to smoke. Wash your clothes and clean the furniture.
If you live with a smoker who is not going to quit or a vaper that uses an e-cig vaporizer (check here), ask them not to smoke or vape in front of you, at least during the initial and toughest parts of your cessation process. The less you think about cigarettes, the fewer cravings you have.
2. Change your routine
Smoker’s schedule revolves around smoking breaks. Fill in these intervals with activities that will keep your brain occupied with other things.
For example, instead of having your usual morning cigarette, walk the dog or take a morning jog. If you used to take breaks at work, linger near the water cooler and have a talk with a college. You can push some break forward. Staying busy will help you avoid the triggers. Besides, you’ll become a more productive worker.
At first, these new routines might seem awkward. But in several weeks, they will become the norm.
3. Plan for situations that can tempt you to smoke
There will be times when you will be on the verge of lighting up a cigarette. Be prepared for that. You should have some emergency tips in stock.
- Make a call to the best friend who supports you in your intention to quit.
- Smoking cessation support is also delivered via mobile phone. A call or text messaging can be right what you need to cope with the craving.
- Some people find deep breathing quite helpful.
- It may be a good idea to have an electronic cigarette at the beginning of your journey when the nicotine withdrawal symptoms are the most severe. Once you know the relapse is unavoidable, use your e-cig. At least, it’s not as harmful.
4. Get new habits
It’s recommended to replace a bad habit with a good one. It’s more effective than focusing on eliminating the bad habit completely.
Why not make your strategy even more effective and develop more than one healthy habit? Here’re some examples:
- Stick to a well-balanced diet that will help your body clean itself from the toxins and give enough energy.
- Take vitamins to deal with the fatigue that sometimes occurs during nicotine withdrawal.
- Drink enough water to detoxify your body more quickly. Try fruit juices or herbal teas. But stay away from alcohol, coffee, and soft drinks for some time. These drinks often go hand in hand with cigarettes. So, they can increase your desire to smoke.
- Have a good sleep to distress your body and mind.
- Start exercising because even a short walk can improve your mood and suppress smoking urges.
5. Keep Trying
You can quit! It usually takes about 10 attempts to stop smoking. Slip-ups are part of the process. It shows your weak points so that you know what to work on in order to prevent another relapse.
It’s difficult to stay on a positive vibe when you fail. You may feel guilty, upset, or frustrated.
Avoid self-blaming and don’t take it as a mistake. Figure out what caused the relapse and plan your actions to win in this situation the next time.
The best way to give up smoking is trying various methods, starting with completely new behavior patterns like changes in the routine and ending with alternative methods like unique e-cigs. Keep working until you find the best combination of tips and tricks and you’ll become free from the nasty, dirty, and unhealthy habit.
About the author:
Margaret Wilson, a blogger who writes about the healthy way of life (healthy food, sports, motivation etc.)
Now she studies vaping as an alternative for people who are struggling with smoking.
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