Most people recognize the health risks associated with smoking, including cancer, lung problems, high blood pressure and blood cots, but the addiction to nicotine prevents many people from quitting. According to the National Institutes for Health, nicotine has an addiction that is similar to cocaine, morphine and alcohol. Changing your daily habits and fighting nicotine addiction through everyday remedies can help you to quit smoking and stay nicotine free.
Stay Focused
Write down the reasons you are quitting and refer to this list when temptation strikes. Don't let yourself rationalize having just one cigarette, but instead focus on how hard you've worked to quit. If the list isn't working, jump in the shower or go somewhere where smoking isn't allowed until you feel the craving pass.
Alternate Exercises
Exercise can give you a release from the stress or tension you may experience as your body goes through nicotine withdrawals. Go for a brisk walk or a jog to elevate your heart rate and clear your mind. The American Cancer Society recommends exercising in "brief bursts" and alternating tensing and relaxing your muscles.
Chew or Hold Something
Your addiction to smoking is probably not just the addiction to the nicotine, but to the hypnotic and repetitive process of smoking: holding the cigarette in your hand and in your mouth. Keep your hands busy by twirling a pencil, flipping a coin or rolling a marble. Stick something in the place of a cigarette in your mouth. Chew gum, snack on carrots, gnaw on a toothpick or suck on a sugar-free lollipop.
Eat and Drink
If you're used to having a beer or a cup of coffee with your cigarette, stay away from these beverages, but stay hydrated with fresh juice, teas and water. Keep your blood sugar and energy balanced by eating four to six small meals a day, which will also help to fight cravings. Avoid spicy foods, because these can trigger cravings.
Reward Yourself
Another key in staying focused are the little rewards you give yourself at the end of each week without smoking. In the beginning, you may even reward yourself day by day and later on, month by month. Use the money normally spent on cigarettes to treat yourself to a movie, new outfit or sporting event. Share your progress with your family and friends, who in return can hold you accountable and praise you for your success.
References
- Medline Plus: Making the Decision to Quit Smoking
- Medline Plus: Nicotine Addiction and Withdrawal
- American Heart Association: How Can I Handle the Stress of Not Smoking?
- American Cancer Society: Quitting Smoking: Help for Cravings and Tough Situations
- MayoClinic.com: Nicotine Dependence: Lifestyle and Home Remedies
