There is no doubt about the fact that smoking is injurious for health. Quitting cigarettes is not an easy task but it is not impossible. Cigarettes are addictive and the initial stage of quitting is extremely hard.
People have trouble handling the cravings but when you have a plan for dealing with craving it makes it easier to succeed. Quitting is not going to happen overnight so patience is the key to success.
Here are a few tips for fighting the cravings and successfully kick the habit of smoking.
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1. Use nicotine replacement therapy:
There are a lot of therapies that are designed specifically to handle tobacco cravings. If you are not aware of the therapies then you can always ask your doctor.
The short-acting nicotine replacement therapies are helpful in overcoming intense cravings. The therapy uses nasal sprays, inhalers; lozenges and nicotine gum are used to deal with the cravings. These therapies are generally considered a safe option. They can be used along with long-acting nicotine patches and the non-nicotine medications.
A lot of people are choosing to buy E-cigarette online because they are considered a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes. But there are still some doubts about the effectiveness of E-cigarettes and it is not considered the safest option for handling tobacco cravings.
2. Identify and avoid triggers:
Smoking like any other addiction has certain triggers. The craving for smoking is going to be strongest when you are in situations where you used to smoke like bars or when stressed. If you are serious about quitting then it is essential to identify the triggers so that you can avoid them. Staying away from the triggers will test your self-control but you need to find ways to keep yourself occupied so that you do not relapse.
3. Find something to chew:
To fight tobacco craving you should find something to chew on. Make sure that you always have hard candies or sugarless gum in your pocket. When you are at home you can always keep celery, raw carrots, sunflower seeds or nuts nearby so that you can munch on them. These things are satisfying and crunchy and are effective in keeping the cigarettes away.
4. Increase physical activity:
Physical activity is an excellent way of occupying the mind and distracting from tobacco cravings. It helps in reducing the intensity of the cravings. You do not have to indulge in tough exercise because simple ones like jogging or walking for a few minutes or going up and down stairs is enough to keep the cravings at bay.
If you are in office then you can choose to do a few squats, push-ups, deep knee bends, etc. Choose a physical activity that you like. If you are not much into exercise then you figure out which activity makes you happy and do it. Doing house chores, reading a paper, knitting, etc. are some options for physical activity other than exercising.
5. Adopt relaxation techniques:
Most people take up smoking as a tool for dealing with stress so stress is a major trigger for them. Dealing with the cravings itself is a stressful activity and to keep away from cigarettes it is important to find another solution for stress.
There are a lot of relaxation techniques like yoga, massage, deep-breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, etc. that are helpful in keeping the stress levels under control.
Recovering from tobacco addiction is tough, but trust us, it could be much worse. Being a heroin addict in recovery is exponentially tougher for example. So don’t be so tough on yourself, use these 5 tips for combating your smoking habit and stay on the right path.
If you are looking for motivation to quit smoking then you should simply take a look at the health hazards it can cause. To feel better, become healthy and to keep loved ones safe from the dangers of cigarettes it is important to resist and beat the tobacco urges and lead a tobacco-free life.
