For most people who use tobacco, the urge to smoke can be too strong to give up. However, it is possible to resist these requests!
When you feel the urge to use tobacco, remember that no matter how strong the urge is, it will go away in 5 to 10 minutes, whether you smoke or not. Each time you resist the craving for tobacco, you are one step closer to quitting tobacco use completely. Here are ways to help you resist the urge to smoke or use tobacco whenever you feel like it.
Find Your Reason
To stay motivated, you need a strong, personal reason to quit. It could be to protect your family from second-hand smoke. Or to lower your chances of developing lung cancer, heart disease or other conditions, or to look and feel younger. Choose a reason strong enough to outweigh the urge to fire.
Prepare
Smoking is an addiction. The brain is addicted to nicotine. So prepare ahead of time rather than making a sudden decision to quit. Ask your doctor about any methods that will help you, such as smoking cessation classes and practices, counseling, medication, and hypnosis. When you do, you will be ready for the day you choose to quit.
Consider Nicotine Replacement Therapy
When you quit smoking, nicotine withdrawal can cause headaches, affect your mood, or drain your energy. Nicotine replacement therapy can reduce these urges. Studies show that nicotine gum, lozenges, and patches also increase your chances of success when you’re in a smoking cessation program.
Learn Prescription Pills
Medications can reduce cravings and can also make smoking less satisfying if you take a cigarette. Other medications can ease withdrawal symptoms such as depression or concentration problems.
Trust Your Loved Ones
Tell your friends, family, and other people you’re close to that you’re trying to let go. They may encourage you to keep going, especially when you want to light a cigarette. You can also join a support group or talk to a counselor. Behavioral therapy is a type of counseling that helps you identify and stick to smoking cessation strategies. Even a few sessions can help.
Give Yourself a Break
One reason people smoke is because nicotine helps them relax. After you quit, you will need new ways to unwind. There are many options. You can exercise to relieve stress, listen to your favorite music, connect with friends, get yourself a massage or make time for a hobby. Try to avoid stressful situations for the first few weeks after quitting smoking.
Avoid Alcohol and Other Triggers
When you smoke, it’s harder to stick to your smoking cessation goal. So try to limit alcohol when you first quit. Likewise, if you often smoke while drinking coffee, switch to herbal tea for a few weeks. If you usually smoke after meals, find something else to do instead, such as brushing your teeth, going for a walk, texting a friend, or chewing gum
Clean Your Home
After you’ve had your last cigarette, throw away all your ashtrays and lighters. Wash your clothes that smell like smoke and clean your carpets, curtains and upholstery. Use air fresheners to get rid of this familiar smell. If you have smoked in your car, clean it up too. A period begins when you don’t want to see or smell anything that reminds you of smoking.
Try and Try Again
Many people try several times before they stop smoking completely. If you fail, don’t be discouraged. Instead, think about what caused your relapse, such as your emotions or the environment you were in. Use this as an opportunity to increase your quit commitment. When you decide to try again, set a quit date within the next month.
Take Action
Being active can reduce nicotine cravings and relieve some withdrawal symptoms. When you want to smoke, wear your running shoes instead. Even light exercise like walking your dog helps. The calories you burn will also prevent you from gaining weight while quitting smoking.
Eat Fruits and Vegetables
Do not try to diet while quitting smoking. Too much deprivation can easily backfire. Instead, keep things simple and try to eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. These are good for your whole body.
Choose Your Prize
In addition to all the health benefits, one of the benefits of quitting smoking is all the money you’ll save. There are online calculators that calculate how rich you will be. Reward yourself by spending some of it on something fun.
Remember Time Is On Your Side
As soon as you quit smoking, you immediately begin to notice the health benefits. After just 20 minutes, your heart rate returns to normal. Within a day, your blood’s carbon monoxide level will also return to normal. In just 2-3 weeks, you will begin to lower your odds of having a heart attack. In the long run, you’ll also lower your chances of getting lung cancer and other cancers.
