Smoking or consuming tobacco can be addicting and can make a person go restless without it. All the chain smokers around the world know the fact that they aren't doing right and it is affecting their health slowly but still they continue smoking because withdrawal symptoms and cravings are difficult to cope with.
Nicotine can be highly addictive and can make a person go restless whenever he or she stops consuming it. This is because your brain is addicted to its effects. From teenagers to young adults, many people find it very difficult to quit smoking or consuming tobacco products.
Eliminating that regular amount of nicotine can make your body experience some withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Many people smoke because of the belief that it will help them cope with depression, work stress, and sadness. Quitting means finding a better alternative way to deal with those things.
To successfully stop this habit of Smoking and Tobacco consumption, you need to look out for both addiction and the habits and your routine that goes along with it. But remember if you have the mind for it, nobody can come your way. It might be difficult but not impossible.
With the right amount of support and help, any smoker or tobacco consumer can kick the addiction no matter how many times they have failed.
Start your Quit Smoking Plan with a START
S= Set A Quit Date.
Set a quit date where you will decide not to touch tobacco or cigarettes anymore. Choose a date in a week or two so that you will have enough time to prepare.
T - Tell your family, friends, and co-workers that you made a plan to Stop Smoking
Inform your loved ones around you that you are about to quit smoking and you need their support and encouragement. Also, try to find someone who also wants to quit and you both can keep supporting each other.
A - Act and make a plan for all the challenges you will face while quitting.
There will be many challenges coming ahead when you quit smoking and tobacco. Prepare yourself for those challenges and make a plan on how you're gonna fight those challenges.
R - Remove cigarettes and other tobacco products from your home, car, and other places nearby.
You need to throw away all those products right away so that you won't get mega cravings after seeing them. Wash your clothes, clean your car wherever it smells like smoke.
T - Talk with a Doctor about getting help to quit tobacco.
Your doctor can help you with medical prescriptions and other products that will help you cope with the withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Identify your Smoking Or Tobacco Triggers
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to identify the tobacco triggers that make you crave it including specific situations, people, and places. Keep a craving journal where you can note down what time you craved it, how intense it was, who you were with, or what you were doing. This will help you out with triggers that you can avoid in the future.
Some tips for avoiding common triggers.
Alcohol -
Avoid alcohol and find a replacement for it as it can trigger intense cravings. Many smokers have a habit of having a puff whenever they are drinking alcohol
Group of friends who smoke -
Avoid circles that will remind you about it and smoke around you because it will be difficult to give up at that time or avoid relapse.
End of a Meal -
For some smokers ending a meal means lighting up a cigarette and the thought of giving that up may be exhausting. Try replacing the moment after the end of the meal with some snacks or healthy desserts.
Manage your Cigarette and Tobacco Cravings
While avoiding the triggers, your urge to smoke will be reduced but you can't entirely avoid tobacco cravings. Luckily cravings last for about 5 to 10 minutes. If you are craving a light-up, remind yourself that this craving is temporary and it will pass.
Distract yourself
Distract and indulge yourself in some other work like calling a friend, taking a shower, or watching TV. The activity doesn't matter as long as it gets your mind off it.
Remind yourself why you quit
Focus on your own reasons for quitting it, about your health, and how bravely you made that decision to quit
Reward yourself
Reward yourself for your victories. Whenever you successfully fight a craving give yourself a reward to keep yourself motivated.
Medication and therapy to help you quit
Different methods have successfully helped people quit smoking. Different people have different bodies and thus you have to see what method works for you the best.
Medications
Go to your doctor and get some smoking cessation medications that will ease tobacco cravings.
Nicotine replacement therapy
Nicotine replacement therapy includes replacing tobacco and cigarettes with nicotine substitutes such as nicotine gum, patch, lozenge, or nasal spray. It helps you relieve some withdrawal symptoms by giving small doses of nicotine into your body.
Non- nicotine Medication -
These medicines help you stop smoking by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms without the use of medicines.
Thus when decided and with a proper plan and help, one can quit smoking and lead a better healthy life.
Source Credit - https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/how-to-quit-smoking.htm