It sounds amazing when a person decides giving up smoking! A person wins half the battle if his/her decision is firm.
The next step is to look for a path to stop smoking cigarettes. According to the American Lung Association, Tobacco use or smoking is responsible for over 480,000 deaths each year in the United States.
Most of us are aware of the numerous health risks that are caused due to cigarette smoking. Quitting smoking is not an easy task that can be done in one day; rather, it is a journey because of nicotine addiction. The effect of smoking takes many people to the worst stage, where they are left with no good choices. People often get confused when they are asked to opt for smoking alternatives or quit smoking medication. There are various ways to quit smoking; follow the one that suits and motivates you.
We have compiled a list of effective ways to stop smoking to achieve your goals. Read out these tips to quit smoking and select the one/s that can help to stop smoking.
1. Prepare yourself for a day when you want to quit
Once you decide to quit smoking, you should choose a date when you will quit. This is a motivational and best way to quit smoking. Choose a close date to quit smoking so that you don’t get time to change your mind. On your quit day plan, include these things:
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- Stay busy
- Avoid smoking at all
- Try to drink more water and juice
- Ignore the company of individuals who are smoking
- Drink less or no alcohol
- Eat your favorite food
- Take a day sleep if needed
- Go on a walk with your friend or partner who supports your quitting smoking decision.
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2. Use NRTs
Cold Turkey or NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) involves the process of replacing cigarettes with other nicotine substitutes. This NRT treatment plays a vital role by helping smokers to focus on breaking their psychological addiction.
According to the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are five types of stop smoking aids:
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- Nicotine Gum
- Skin Patches
- Lozenges
- Inhaler
- Nasal Spray
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If you have decided to start using NRT, consult your healthcare provider to know the right dosage before you consider any option.
3. Slowly but surely
This method is also effective if you have planned to quit smoking. You can try this by just reducing your cigarette use until you don’t need a cigarette anymore. This ‘Slowly but Surely’ method is very helpful and is ideal for people who smoke frequently and are very deep in their habits. All you have to do is just cut back your cigarette use slowly from day to day and week to week. You have to be adamant about cutting your cigarette smoking cessation and frequency.
This method will work well for a few people but may not for everyone.
4. Consider non-nicotine medications to quit smoking
FDA approves two non-nicotine medicines and helps smokers to quit smoking. These two non-nicotine drugs, bupropion (Zyban) and varenicline (Chantix) help to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Consult a doctor if you want to try one of these medicines. These drugs are available by prescription only.
5. Seek behavioral support
During the trying days of to quit smoking, your emotional and physical dependency on smoking will make it more challenging to stay away from nicotine. To stop smoking, you have to tackle this dependence. You can opt for counseling services, support services, and self-help materials. It will help you to get through this time. You can also get support from your family by spending quality time with them.
6. Try alternative therapies
Some people try alternative therapies to quit smoking, but the truth is that currently, there is no strong evidence available that proves any of these effective alternatives improve the chances of becoming smoke-free. In fact, in some cases, methods or therapies like these may urge the person to smoke extra.
Some of the alternative methods, such as filters, smoking deterrents, tobacco strips and sticks, nicotine drinks, lollipops, acupuncture, magnet therapy, cold laser therapy, herbs and supplements, yoga, and meditation, can help you to stop smoking.
7. Electronic-Cigarettes
Electronic cigarettes are not used to be sold as a quit smoking aid, but many smokers find it as a method to give up the habit. Research on smoking has also found that these electronic cigarettes are less addictive in comparison to tobacco cigarettes. The benefits of using e-cigarettes may not be risk-free, but the evidence has suggested that e-cigarettes are equally as harmful as tobacco cigarettes because it cause DNA damage and are linked to increased blood pressure and heart rate.
You should select the best way to stop smoking if you want to get rid of the smoking habit. Smoking effects can be worsening day by day as you smoke more. Try opting for the easiest way to quit smoking; this will keep you motivated and energetic. Drinking tea, coffee, or green tea is considered one of the quit smoking aids. Opting for natural ways to quit smoking eliminates the risk of medication and dependence on other substances.
