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Tips To Quit Smoking


By Jasmine Antoine
Posted on 30 Aug, 2019


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Your first day without cigarettes can be difficult, but having a plan will make it easier! Don't rely on willpower alone to keep you smoke-free. Prepare with these steps to give yourself the best chance for success.

 

Don't go it alone

Tell your friends, family, and co-workers that you're trying to quit. Their encouragement could make the difference. Also, you’d feel a lot more pressure lighting up in their presence, knowing that you’ve declared your intention to them.

 

Stay away from smokers

Smoking is often a social activity and you tend to light up when the person next to you lights up. And even if you don’t have a cigarette with you, you’d probably bum one of the other person under the premise of being social. When you’re at a party, stick with the non-smokers. If you have friends or family members who are smokers, either avoid them as much as politely possible, or ask them not to smoke in your presence.

 

Food and water

A lot of the addiction of smoking is mental, so having something on your lips will replicate the feeling of holding a cigarette and trick your brain. Many people find that sipping liquid through a straw helps avoid smoking. Eating small snacks can also distract the brain from the urge to smoke. Just keep it healthy in order to avoid the weight gain that often accompanies quitting.

 

Teeth brushing

The most immediate result of quitting is improved smell and taste in one’s mouth. Brush your teeth frequently during the period immediately after quitting to remind yourself of your newly fresh-smelling mouth and you’ll be less likely to light up a cigarette.

 

No alcohol

Alcohol, in general, breaks down inhibitions and self-restraint. Moreover, for many people smoking was part of social situations that also involved drinking alcohol. Because of this, drinking will induce cravings for smoking. You’d be wise to avoid it until you are strong enough to tackle your cravings later on.

 

Remember why

If and when you’re feeling weak in the face of cravings, write down a list of all the reasons why you quit, and then focus your attention on them. This will help gather your logic, reasoning, and mental strength to fight against the addiction.

 

Exercise

Exercise is a powerful distraction and motivation when grappling with smoking addiction. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins which reduce stress and anxiety, and generally boost your mood. You can either set aside time for a workout every day or just exercise spontaneously when you’re feeling a craving.

 

Keep busy

When it comes to smoking, idle hands are the devil’s playthings. Stay busy and on the go, because sitting at home with nothing to do will lead to boredom and possibly a retreat to cigarettes.

 

Oral fixation

Much or the addiction of smoking is a mental fixation with something occupying the mouth (which is one of the biggest nerve-centers of the body). So, to prove to your cigarette-addicted brain that your mouth is busy, make sure you’re chewing gum, sucking on hard candy, or even chewing a pencil whenever you feel like you want to light up.

 

Less caffeine

Caffeine can make people nervous and jumpy, which makes them to want to smoke. Also, the ritual association between smoking and drinking coffee can be a tough one for quitters to break. Avoiding coffee for a while might be your best bet.


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