5 Ways To Quit Smoking

One of the most difficult things to do is quit smoking. Smoking is a habit that can have very destructive side effects. Steps have already been taken to reduce the number of people smoking, including changing cigarette packaging to portraying the damage that cigarettes can have on the body. However, there is still a large percentage of people that smoke all over the world.

To quit smoking, you have to want to stop. Motivation and ambition are key in giving up something that can be addictive. Moreover, you must be prepared for the withdrawal symptoms that you may experience. It is also important to note that giving up smoking will be different from person to person.

If you think you are ready to quit smoking, here are some of the ways you can do so.

Patches/Medication

This is a common choice, mostly because they are easy to access and provide a quick fix. Nicotine patches help to reduce any cravings that you may get by releasing the chemical into your skin. This type of medication is known as Nicotine Replacement Therapy. Of course, this is not a long-term solution, but can be very effective in the early stages when you quit smoking. You can also take oral treatments such as nicotine spray and tablets so that you don’t feel the urge to smoke.

Hypnotherapy

Surprisingly, this is an option that many people overlook or dismiss as silly. However, hypnotherapy can genuinely help you to stop smoking. It can be used to change your thoughts so that you feel repulsion at the idea of smoking. Addiction to smoking is very much a mental battle as well as a physical battle, so there is credibility behind the proposition that hypnotherapy aids people to stop smoking. Yet, not enough studies have been conducted to determine if this works for everyone.

Devices

In the past couple of years, e-cigarettes have become a popular alternative to standard cigarettes. E-cigarettes produce nicotine in vapour but don’t produce tar or carbon monoxide. The NHS advises that if you are trying to stop smoking, you should use e-cigarettes that are disposable rather than ones with rechargeable batteries. E-cigarettes run on liquid, of which there are many different types and flavours that you can purchase. However, it is important to note that e-cigarettes can still be harmful to the body. If you are looking to stop smoking to get healthy, e-cigarettes are best as a short-term solution.

Find a replacement

Chewing gum is a popular choice of activity to replace the act of smoking. This keeps your mouth working, and your mind occupied, so you don’t have the urge to smoke. Nicotine Replacement Therapy, as mentioned above, is also available in the form of inhalators. These are fake plastic cigarettes, so you can mimic the action of smoking and give your body a small amount of nicotine without doing your body any damage.

Exercise and Diet

An incentive to smoke is that it makes people feel more relaxed and good about themselves. The negative factor is that these effects are often temporary. Doing exercise and maintaining a healthy diet are great alternatives to smoking because they evoke the same feelings and in contrast to smoking, are great for your body! Like smoking, exercise can become a routine, and it can help to conquer stress by giving you the chance to let off steam. If you exercise regularly, you are more likely to make healthier choices for your meals. Furthermore, exercise releases endorphins, meaning that you may feel happier for longer, with the bonus of knowing that your body is in the best shape!

Whichever options are suited for you, make sure to stick at it! Make sure to set goals and give yourself rewards for reaching them. It is one thing to quit smoking, but another to keep this up long-term. To stop smoking is your chance to be the healthiest version of yourself, and genuinely feel good about yourself for making progress, and taking control of your mind and body!

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