It’s never the wrong time of year to give up your bad habits. Are you ready to start leading a more healthy lifestyle? Quitting smoking is one of the top habits people want to kick, but we know it can be difficult. That’s why we’ve made a list of some of the most helpful tips for quitting smoking. Here are the top 3:
1. Nicotine Replacement Therapy
One of the first things to try when you want to quit smoking is nicotine replacement therapy. Nicotine is the chemical that’s in tobacco that’s making it hard for you to quit. Nicotine replacement therapy gives you nicotine, but without the harmful chemicals that are in tobacco. It can help relieve some of the physical withdrawal symptoms you have when you’re trying to quit. You can try nicotine gum, nicotine patches, or even nicotine lozenges. Whenever you’re craving a cigarette, you can chew a piece of gum, or pop a lozenge in your mouth. Or, you can use the nicotine patch, which provides a steady, controlled dose of nicotine throughout the day. It’s just a small, self-adhesive pad that you stick to your skin and is usually worn for 24 hours. All of these nicotine replacement products allow smokers to put down the cigarettes while not feeling severe withdrawal symptoms.
2. Smoking Cessation Programs
We also recommend trying a smoking cessation program. Smoking cessation programs combine various approaches and target the fears and problems you have when it comes to quitting smoking. The programs are also helpful in finding you a method to quit that fits your needs. You’ll identify any problems you have while trying to quit, and get help overcoming those problems. Smoking cessation programs vary from one-on-one sessions to group counseling. The most widely used and successful programs include hours of skills training and cognitive and behavioral techniques that are designed to help smokers cope with the cravings and negative mood associated with quitting. These programs are also beneficial in that they help prevent you from relapsing and provide the support you need through the quitting process.
3. Identify Triggers and Beat Them
Another one of the top tips for quitting smoking is to identify triggers and beat them. Most triggers fall into one of four categories: emotional, pattern, social, and withdrawal. Emotional triggers remind you how you felt when you used smoking to affect your mood, like when you were stressed, upset, or anxious. When you feel that way, you’ll be more tempted to pick up a cigarette again. To cope, you have to find ways to sort through those emotions, whether it’s taking deep breaths, exercising, or talking to friends and family. Pattern triggers are activities that you connect with smoking. For example, if you usually smoke after you finish a meal, or while you’re in the car, or right before bed, it’s hard not to associate those activities with lighting a cigarette. The best way to deal is to break the association between the two things by transferring the feeling to a different activity. Chew gum after you eat instead of smoke, change up your routine, or find other things that keep your hands busy. Social triggers can be occasions that include others who smoke, like parties, social events, and concerts. It’s best to avoid these places where you know others will be smoking. Withdrawal triggers include things like craving the taste of a cigarette, feeling restless, or smelling cigarette smoke. The best way to deal with these triggers is to distract yourself. Finding a way to cope with all the things that trigger you to smoke will make it easier to quit for good.
Reach Out to Hines Street Pharmacy
After reading these helpful tips for quitting smoking, are you ready to give it a try? We want to help. Reach out to us at Hines Street Pharmacy for help finding the right nicotine replacement or a smoking cessation program!
