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7 Self-Help Tips To Slowly Stop Smoking

Mick Pacholli
Mick Pachollihttps://www.tagg.com.au
Mick created TAGG - The Alternative Gig Guide in 1979 with Helmut Katterl, the world's first real Street Magazine. He had been involved with his fathers publishing business, Toorak Times and associated publications since 1972.  Mick was also involved in Melbourne's music scene for a number of years opening venues, discovering and managing bands and providing information and support for the industry. Mick has also created a number of local festivals and is involved in not for profit and supporting local charities.        

Everyone is well aware of the health risks caused by smoking. Despite that fact, it’s still not enough to make it easier to quit the habit. Smokers consider smoking part of their daily ritual, just like how others brush their teeth or drink coffee first thing in the morning. Other times, some people also resort to smoking to cope with boredom, anxiety, or stress or as a means to socialise with others. In the midst of maintaining daily rituals like brushing teeth and enjoying morning coffee, finding a trustworthy dentist in leominster ma becomes crucial for overall well-being. Regular dental care not only contributes to oral health but also plays a pivotal role in preventing broader health issues, emphasizing the importance of a reliable dental professional.

Regardless of how frequently you smoke, it still brings the same adverse effects, not only to your health but also to those around you. Regardless if you’re a lifetime smoker or an occasional smoker, trying to quit smoking can be really challenging. To successfully quit smoking, you’ll need to stop not only the habit itself but all the other routines attached to it. This may sound tough and almost impossible, but it can be done.

With the right plan, social support, and the seven self-help tips in this post, you’ll be strong enough to slowly remove this bad habit from your life. Read on.

1. Choose A Quit Day

After a long time thinking and pondering, you’ve finally found a powerful reason to stop smoking for good. Once you’ve decided on it, be ready to choose a quit day, preferably within two weeks. The sooner you start the quit day, the better.

But make sure you give yourself enough time to prepare and adjust for this significant change in life. At the same time, your chosen quit day shouldn’t be too far in the future, as that may only give you time to change your mind.

2. Consult A Doctor

Once your quit day is finally on the horizon, the best way to start your plan is to consult a doctor. Your chosen medical professional, preferably a psychologist, will help you find healthier alternatives to which you can run to in case you feel the urge to light a cigar.

Moreover, if you’re thinking of trying out nicotine replacement therapy, ask your physician for the list of options. Together, the two of you can figure out which one would suit you best including nicotine gums, nicotine inhalers, or e-cigarettes with nicotine from Smokefree Clinic and other suppliers. E-cigarettes are rising in popularity these days as one of the common alternatives for smokers trying to kick the habit to the curb.

3. Get Rid Of Any Cigarette Products Around You

Don’t hesitate to throw away all the cigarettes you own. Get rid of all your extra packs from every place you think you have a hidden stash. Throw out your ashtrays, lighters, and matches. Get rid of anything that would remind you of your smoking habits. Then, it’s also ideal to wash your clothes, car, carpets, drapes, and other things and corners that still possess the smell of tobacco smoke. Keep your home and office smoke and cigarette-free.

7 self-help tips to slowly stop smoking

4. Avoid Triggers

The urge to puff a smoke is more common when you’re in places where you smoke a lot such as on your front porch, in your workplace smoking area, in the parking lot, or at parties and bars. Take your time to identify all these places and other trigger situations and create a plan to avoid them entirely or overcome them without thinking of lighting a cigarette.

For instance, if you often find yourself smoking as soon as you step out on your front porch, surround your front porch with extra boxes of gums or place a pen and paper nearby to occupy yourself instead of reaching for your lighter.

5. Make Dietary Adjustments

Other smokers tend to treat smoking as their dessert after every meal. If you’re one, you may need to consider adjusting your current diet and switch up your routine. Instead of your usual meals, try to add more cheese, fruits, and vegetables into your diet. These foods often make cigarettes and tobacco taste awful, discouraging you from lighting a stick anymore in the future.

Moreover, it’s also a good idea to change your regimen before, during, and after meals, especially if you smoke right after every meal. After finishing a meal, make a new habit of washing the dishes right away or cleaning the tables and the kitchen countertops to distract you from the thought of smoking again.

6. Tell Your Friends And Family About Your Plan

It’s important to tell your friends and all your loved ones about your plan. The last thing you need is your friends and family casually handing you a pack of cigarettes because they had no idea about your new lifestyle change. When your friends and family know, they’ll support you and even help you stop, in case you suddenly show signs of relapse. It’s also ideal if you surround yourself with people who are non-smokers so you wouldn’t fall back to the temptation of wanting to smoke again.

7. Live An Active Lifestyle

According to research, doing regular exercise and leading an active and dynamic lifestyle can help you quit smoking. The more you move—even a simple 15-minute walk every day—the more your brain produces high levels of chemicals that stop your cravings. So, when you feel the urge to smoke, go for a walk, do a bit of gardening, or play with your pet. Not only will you be burning calories, but you’ll also be keeping your body busy in a healthy way.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve attempted to stop smoking before and failed, evaluate which parts you failed and try again. Quitting smoking isn’t an overnight process, and no one expects you to succeed after a very short time. It’s better to strive to fight off the urge than to do nothing at all. Remember, each time you resist a craving, you’re a step closer to a healthier you.

Mick Pacholli

Mick created TAGG - The Alternative Gig Guide in 1979 with Helmut Katterl, the world's first real Street Magazine. He had been involved with his fathers publishing business, Toorak Times and associated publications since 1972.  Mick was also involved in Melbourne's music scene for a number of years opening venues, discovering and managing bands and providing information and support for the industry. Mick has also created a number of local festivals and is involved in not for profit and supporting local charities.        

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