When was the last time you thought about giving up smoking but you gave up the idea instead? Of course, quitting smoking is hard but, it becomes easy once you make up your mind and take control of it. This blog will tell you some of the best methods to try and stop smoking naturally.
Even if you are a person who has been smoking for more than a decade, you will still be able to quit quickly, easily, and most importantly - permanently. And this blog article gives you ways of doing so without any medication or nicotine replacement therapy.
Moreover, there is no need to make changes to your lifestyle. Life does not change significantly when you live without nicotine addiction controlling your life, but it does become easier since you feel better, look better, and are in a better mood when you are not addicted to nicotine.
When you try to quit you may experience the following symptoms:
- Frustration
- Cold sweat
- Inability to concentrate
- Aggressiveness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Anxiety
Smoking is a habit that drains the life out of people. People who smoke affect their lives and the lives of people around them. Therefore, it is essential to refrain from the bud.
Follow these 8 steps to quit smoking:
-
The decision to quit
You have to decide to quit smoking. This is the foremost step in this process of quitting. The first step is the most important but every subsequent step is also as important as the first one. If taking the first step was the only thing that mattered – we would never have learned to walk.
-
Why do you smoke?
There is no one who wakes up one morning and says, "Today, I'll start smoking". Making the choice to become a smoke-free person is up to you. List all your reasons for quitting and post them in a place where you can see them often.
-
Set a date
Decide on a date to quit with closer proximity, for example the next 2 weeks or lesser. Choose a day that is special to you, such as your birthday or a holiday if it falls during that period.
-
Throw away cigarettes
Get rid of all cigarettes, lighters, matches, and ashtrays in your car, home, and workplace. Make sure nobody smokes at home or near you.
-
Forget the idea of cutting back
Many of us get into the notion that it’s only possible and easy to quit smoking slowly by cutting back the number of cigarettes smoked in a day. Remember this is not going to help you to quit. Trying to cut back on cigarettes by buying one at a time instead of buying a pack costs you more and can never help you in the process of quitting. We do not suggest you buy in packs either. It’s just that you tend to lose count and end up smoking more cigarettes in this process. Think about the time when you had tried to quit previously and analyse what worked and what did not? Once you quit, do not smoke again, don’t even think of taking even a puff! One cigarette can easily drive you to start smoking again.
-
Get support from family or your special person
We often tend to listen to our special ones more than our own selves. It’s true that a special one can impact our decision making and it could be a lover or a family member. Make it a point to promise and try to keep your words. Inform your family, friends, and colleagues about your decision to quit. Get as much help from the ones you think will be ready to help genuinely, including not smoking around you or offering you cigarettes.
-
Don’t hesitate to get additional support
Get individual, group, or telephone counseling. The more counselling and advice you take, the better your chances are of quitting. Sign up for text alerts that help you quit by sending encouragement, advice, and tips that help you quit for good. Join social media support groups. Find out about the support groups and the quit-smoking activities happening in your community. You can also take the help of rehabs if you think you really need a helping hand. Think about which ones you want to join. Look for the positive side of quitting and breaking the smoking habit for good.
-
Distract yourself from urges to smoke
Talk to someone or go for a walk to keep yourself busy. Drink plenty of water. Change your routine. For instance, try a different route to work. Engage in activities to reduce your stress. Listen to music, think about getting fit and healthy, join aerobics/gym or dance to your favourite music. Plan something enjoyable to do every day. Keep yourself occupied. Joining a gym might help you cut back and quit smoking when you see yourself going towards a process of being healthier and more fit.
Why should you quit smoking?
- Stronger immunity – Smoking kills white blood cells (WBC) and drastically reduces the count of WBC which is an integral part of the human immune system.
- Higher life expectancy - India accounts for 267 million tobacco users in the year 2021 and tobacco users die 6-10 years earlier than expected, according to a report of WHO.
- Reducing the risk of life-threatening diseases like cancer, heart diseases, high blood pressure, ulcers, kidney diseases etc.
- Save money
- Improving senses
- Improved appearance – smoking causes bad breath, stained teeth and wrinkles
- Feel healthier
Your body gets rid of all nicotine in just three days. After just three days, you will have no nicotine left in your system. In just three days, you'll be free from something that has controlled you for so long.
We all know that cigarette smoking poisons the body but did you know that nicotine addiction has been physically changing your mind? Cigarette smoking wreaks havoc not only on the body but on the brain as well. Remember, it was not to calm down or feel the pleasure that you smoked. The cravings were temporarily suppressed by smoking regularly. It was only temporary relief. Don’t let your mind control you, but take control of your mind.
