Smoking is easily one of the hardest habits to quit. It is easy to do, and can be done almost anywhere, and for many smokers, it is the best way to deal with stress, pass time, or to have a break. However, if you want to quit, here are a few of the best tips to help you.
Have a Plan & Quit Date
Firstly, you should create a quitting plan and a final quitting date. This plan should include how many cigarettes you want to smoke a day, research on how to get a vape prescription, and a timeframe.
Having a plan and schedule will give you some direction and allow you to track your progress, as well as to show if you are falling behind. Simply put, a plan and a quit date will hold you accountable.
Find Motivation
The next thing you should do is to find a reason to quit. This can be anything from being scared of cancer, to simply wanting to feel better, breathe easier, etc. It doesn’t have to be a deep and well-thought-out motivation, just something you want to work towards.
This is a great idea because it reminds you as to why you are doing this, and the reason why you should stay on track.
Avoid Your Triggers
Most people don’t smoke for no reason, with some of the most common reasons being stress, anxiety, or even boredom. Whatever your triggers are, you should identify them, and then either avoid them, or find an alternative method for dealing with them.
Stress and anxiety can be tricky to deal with effectively, and therefore, if these are your triggers, learning how to deal with your stress, whether that be through something like yoga or seeing a professional, is a must.
Don’t Smoke Mindlessly
One thing to be aware of is when you smoke mindlessly. An example of this would be lighting up a cigarette with your morning coffee simply because this is what you have done every morning for as long as you have smoked.
This isn’t necessarily a trigger, but rather something you do without thinking. Therefore, become more aware of when this happens, and it will make it easier to simply avoid it.
Cut Down Regularly
One thing you need to add to your plan is how and when you will cut down. Going cold turkey works for some, but a better method is to cut down slowly, as this will avoid the inevitable shock to your system that can lead to a relapse.
Set Smoking Times
To counteract this, set yourself smoking times. Some examples would be smoking one cigarette every two or three hours, smoking one after each meal, or only after a certain time. The goal is to ween yourself off, and go for longer and longer periods without smoking.
Find Temporary/Permanent Replacements
Whether it be while you are smoking or after you have quit completely, finding a smoking replacement is a brilliant way to bridge the difficult gap between smoking regularly and not smoking at all.
You can opt for a vape, nicotine gum, or a nicotine spray, for example, all of which can stop your cravings, and, as mentioned before, can be used while you are quitting, or after the fact.
Exercise
Exercising may sound like a cliche, but it is a tried and tested method that can stop or delay cravings. As some smokers may tell you, after and hour or two sweating in the gym, lighting up isn’t the first thing on their mind.
You also don’t need to go to the gym either; you can set yourself a challenge such as doing 20 push-ups every time you get a craving, or doing a home workout. Whatever works best for you should be what you choose, as the end goal is still the same.
Eat Fruit & Vegetables
One thing that you may feel when trying to quit is hunger. Because of this, it is always best to have some fruit and veggies on hand to curb your hunger cravings as and when you have them.
Remember that quitting will become even harder if you aren’t able to deal with the side effects, and hunger is one that many experience.
Don’t Combine With Another Goal
One potential trap you may fall into is adding quitting to a list of goals you want to achieve, especially now that the new year is approaching. Once again, this may work for some, but it can also be a recipe for disaster.
For example, if you are trying to eat healthier and quit smoking, you are going to experience cravings for both nicotine, and the food you are trying to avoid, exacerbating both. Instead, make quitting a separate goal that you tackle on its own at a different time.
Set a Reward
Finally, set yourself a reward. One of the best is to set the money aside each week that you would typically spend on cigarettes. Considering cigarettes can be expensive in many countries, you can easily horde a fair amount of money by the end of your journey.
Once you reach your quit date and have achieved your goal, you can spend the money on yourself, your partner, or whatever you feel like.