What Are Some Solutions to Smoking?
People begin smoking for a variety of reasons, but after their health deteriorates, they often want to kick the habit. Since nicotine is a habit-forming drug, quitting can be a challenge for many smokers. Behavior modification, advance planning and diet alterations, as well as nicotine replacement and a strong emotional support system, may offer solutions to help smokers quit the habit.
Close up on hands breaking a cigarette. (Image: marcoprati/iStock/Getty Images)Setting the Stage to Quit
Mentally preparing yourself for quitting gives you some time to adjust to the idea of being a non-smoker, according to the American Legacy Foundation, a smoking cessation organization. Instead of making a decision to quit immediately, give yourself time to get used to the idea. The Foundation suggests setting a date approximately five days in the future and using the days before your quit-date to inform your family and friends of your intentions and to rid your home of smoking-related items, such as ashtrays.
Launder your clothing to remove smoke smells and stock up on low-calorie finger foods to keep your hands and mouth busy when you quit. Make a list of all the positive aspects of kicking the habit and post it in plain sight.
Control Cravings
Your body is accustomed to a nicotine fix several times during the day. When you quit, you may experience strong cravings to smoke, especially during the first few days.
Nicotine replacement products are available through your doctor or health clinic, and they include transdermal skin patches, nasal sprays and tablets. Some smokers find it beneficial to use these products to ease cravings while they focus on kicking the psychological side of their addiction. After a few weeks, you'll gradually wean yourself from the nicotine replacement products. These products contain nicotine, but they do not contain the additional poisonous gasses found in cigarettes, according to Medline Plus, a branch of the National Institutes of Health.
Additional solutions include hypnosis, acupuncture and behavioral modification, according to HelpGuide.org. By altering habits associated with smoking, you may find it easier to quit. Eat at a different table, take a new route to work, spend time in non-smoking places such as libraries and avoid smoking triggers such as alcohol and coffee.
Prevent a Relapse
Having “just one cigarette,” can lead to another and another and soon, you're back to smoking a pack a day. Although the urge to smoke lessens as time goes on, it's imperative to resist the urge to light up even one cigarette.
The Mayo Clinic recommends reviewing your list of reasons for quitting while reminding yourself that you've already resisted previous urges.
Find an alternative solution for dealing with stress, which is one of the biggest relapse triggers for ex-smokers. Go for a brisk walk, practice deep breathing or learn to meditate. If you're teetering on the brink of having a smoke, call a friend who you know will try to talk you out of it.
