Smoking is one of the most unhealthy habits that destroys health. Tobacco is one of the leading causes of cancer. In fact, one-third of all cancers worldwide are caused by smoking. Cigarettes and bidis are known as cancer sticks. The nicotine in cigarettes is an addictive substance that makes people tempted to take another puff. Quitting smoking improves your health, well-being, and overall quality of life. Here are some tips for quitting smoking.
1. Talk sense
Find a compelling reason to make good on your promise to quit smoking. It can be done to prevent secondhand smoke in your family, especially among your children, or to improve your health and look and feel younger. Just find a good enough reason to quit smoking so you don’t fall off the wagon.
2. Give up reminders to smoke
Pick up ashtrays, lighters, and cigarette boxes and throw them away. Lack of smoking paraphernalia can help you quit, because the desire to quit will disappear if there is nothing to support it.
3. Clean your space
Open windows, wipe off dust, change linens, clean curtains, and vacuum the carpets. Put away anything that smells like tobacco. Even the smell of stale smoke can trigger a craving for smoking. A clean house also gives you a fresh start.
4. Talk to your doctor
Smoking is an addiction. If you’ve been a long-term smoker, it’s best to talk to your doctor about withdrawal symptoms and how to treat them. There are many medications, support groups, and counseling centers to help smokers quit.
5. Exercise is your new best friend
Vigorous physical activity releases dopamine, the same chemical that smoking releases into the bloodstream. Not only that, exercise will speed up your body and you can begin to heal from the effects of smoking. Your lung capacity will increase and your heart will thank you for it.
6. Choose your favorite snack
When you quit smoking, your appetite noticeably increases. Find a favorite snack that is healthy and tasty and keep it with you at all times. As soon as you get the urge to smoke, have a snack and wait for the craving to pass.
7. Water
Drinking enough water will help your body restore balance faster. Water speeds up nicotine detoxification and also fights increased appetite.
8. Watch your eating and drinking habits
Cigarettes taste better with certain foods such as meat and refined carbohydrates, as well as with beverages such as alcohol, colas, tea, and coffee. Conversely, cheese, vegetables and fruit give smoking a terrible aftertaste. Eating more of these foods and less of anything that complements smoking will help you stay on a healthy, non-smoking path.
9. Strategies to reduce cravings
Cravings don’t usually last more than five minutes. Make a list of activities you could do during those awful five minutes when all you want to do is smoke. To quit smoking, you can take a short walk, take a quick shower, listen to music or read.
10. Good company
The company you keep outside your home greatly influences your smoking habits. Non-smoking friends are your best bet for staying away from social smoking. So when you are in the office or at parties, keep yourself in the company of non-smokers. You’ll notice a noticeable decrease in cravings for another puff.