Years of scientific research have established that smoking cigarettes leads to a ton of health issues that highly contribute to early death. Some of the most common health effects of smoking include various types of cancers (i.e., lung, bronchial, tracheal and mouth cancer), cardiovascular conditions including stroke, heart failure and damage to blood cells and respiratory conditions like bronchitis and COPD.
If you feel it’s time to quit, here are some of the most effective ways to stop smoking for good:
1. Decide to quit
This is the first and most important decision you will ever make. This means creating a resolve and sticking to it no matter how tough it gets to stop smoking.
2. Joining smoking cessation programs
A smoke cessation program is an organization that links up people who are struggling with the same condition and are all trying to quit. It offers help to new people who are starting their long journey to recovery, and advice and companionship to members who are already in the process of quitting. A cessation program assures anyone that they are not alone, and there is always someone ready to listen and understand what they are going through.
3. Stay busy
By staying busy, fill your day with a lot of activities. The first few days after you decide to quit are the hardest for anyone. So in order to not let yourself get sucked back into smoking, go to the gym, take long walks, go out on dates with your nonsmoking friends, and just don’t let yourself get too idle to start missing lighting up.
4. Drink more water and fresh juice
Taking more fluids, especially water and juice, helps your body to hydrate. Studies have also shown that drinking less or no alcohol during your recovery, and replacing it with fresh water and juices help to improve smoke cravings. Staying sober will also allow you to make informed decisions, and you will be able to stop yourself from grabbing a cigarette.
5. Use a nicotine patch or gum
One of the most effective ways to curb your addiction is by using a nicotine patch for long term relief. This patch works by simply placing it in direct contact with your skin and sticking it there. The effects usually last for hours, and it brings you a sense of relief since you only need to think about them at least once a day when changing them. Nicotine gum provides short term relief and engages your mouth and brings you a sense of instant relief from the craving to smoke. The best way to effectively quit smoking is by using a combination of these two.
6. Avoid your smoking triggers
A trigger is someone, something, or a situation that usually tempts you to smoke. This means that you choose to avoid all the people you used to smoke with once you decide to quit. Avoid getting into a situation where you will feel the urge to light one up, which triggers your stress or a place where people usually smoke. By avoiding these triggers, you will get stronger with time and eventually be strong enough to refuse a smoke even when offered.