People who smoke have to repeatedly battle their nicotine cravings. Sometimes these cravings can be really powerful. However, you have to gather enough willpower to overcome this craving. So, here we have come up with some effective methods for smoking cessation you can try.
Keep Triggers at Bay
You might experience a sudden urge or craving to smoke in a situation or a place where you usually smoked. For instance, you may feel like smoking at a party, while drinking coffee, when you are feeling stressed, or with a certain group of friends, Thus, you need to take some time and identify the possible triggers in your case. You must take effective steps to overcome them. If you had a habit of smoking while talking on a phone, you can rather keep a pen and a paper near you while smoking, so you could doodle instead of thinking about smoking.
Take Up Replacement Therapy
A primary step in every effective smoking cessation method should be a replacement therapy. There are abundant options available in the market, such as
- Nicotine patches, lozenges, and nicotine gums
- Prescription nicotine either with an inhaler or nasal spray
- Non-nicotine medications like varenicline and bupropion
These replacement therapies can certainly go a long way in helping you overcome your nicotine cravings. You can use these short-term therapies, together with long-term medications for best results.
Get a Sugar-free Gum
Every time you have a tobacco craving, you should immediately pop a sugar-free gum or candy. Pick something nice or crunchy so that you feel satiated and distracted at the same time. This is one of the most simple as well as effective methods for smoking cessation.
Keep Your Inner Circle Close
Whenever you decide to quit smoking, tell your family and loved ones about it. They’ll have your back and continually encourage you to keep at it. If needed, you can associate with a support group or start seeing a counselor. Joining a support group will put you around people who are experiencing a similar struggle as you, which is an effective method for smoking cessation.
Try Relaxation Techniques
For some people, smoking is a way to relieve stress. So, whenever they feel some stress in life, they pick up a cigarette. To tell you the truth, resisting tobacco for a smoker can also be stressful. Thus, it is important to keep your stress in check by practicing a few relaxation techniques. You can take up activities like spa days, visualization, muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, or even just sitting and listening to your favorite music.
Delay the Urge
Stalling the urge definitelyt works. Trick your mind into waiting for a bit, maybe 10-15 minutes. In this time, you can pick anything to distract you. You can call a friend, watch a comedy show, or do anything that delays your urge to smoke.
Every time you face an urge, please remember that irrespective of how intense it is, it will pass within a couple of minutes. Moreover, when you control this craving, you are taking yourself one step ahead in this entire race of overcoming smoking cessation. So, follow these tips, and you’ll certainly find yourself closer to winning this battle.
