No matter when or why you started smoking, you probably know by now that it’s not good for your health. But cigarettes are highly addictive, and regardless of how much information you might have on the health risks and dangers, quitting can be very difficult. People decide to quit smoking for many different reasons. Whether you want to improve your own health, save money instead of spending it on the rising cost of cigarettes, or you’re worried about the impact of second-hand smoke on your family and friends, any reason to give up cigarettes is a valid reason. Keep reading to discover some ways to help to stick to this decision and be successful.
Use Nicotine Replacement
Nicotine itself might be the most addictive aspect of cigarettes but it is also one of the least harmful components. When you smoke, you’re inhaling nasty chemicals like tar and carbon monoxide which are harmful to your vital organs and overall health. Nicotine on its own is unlikely to cause as much harm, which is why there are so many nicotine replacement products available. These allow you to use an alternative to smoking that keeps your withdrawal symptoms at bay while giving up the cigarettes themselves. You can get chewing gum, patches, lozenges, sprays, or electronic cigarettes with liquid from Red Juice.
Seek Support
Quitting smoking can be a difficult process, and it can be even harder to feel like you are on your own in the experience. You may find that being able to speak to and get support from other people who know how you are feeling might help. A stop smoking support group can be a great way to get this. You may be able to find a local group that you can visit in-person, or a virtual group on social media where you can speak to like-minded people and provide encouragement to one another.
Try a New Hobby
Quitting smoking can often leave you feeling lost during the day as you have nothing to do during the times when you would normally go out for a cigarette. To fill these gaps in your day and relieve the boredom that might lead to wanting a cigarette, consider trying a new hobby. Whether you buy a mindfulness colouring book, take up video gaming, do sudoku or crosswords, learn how to embroider, or start learning how to play an instrument, find something that will fill your time and give you something else to focus on instead of smoking.
Track Your Progress
When you’re feeling defeated and dealing with bad cravings, it can be helpful to look back on how far you have come, as this can give you an incentive to keep going and remind you that you are capable of doing this. One of the best ways to do this is by using an app that calculates how many cigarettes you haven’t smoked, how much money you’ve saved, and how your health has improved since your quit date.
Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but it’s definitely worth it. If you want to ditch cigarettes for good, keep these tips in mind to make the process easier.
