While stop-smoking aids, gums, lozenges, hypnosis tapes and other methods help you kick the habit, they can be pricey. If you have limited funds, yet still want to quit smoking, you can find a variety of free alternatives to take your mind off smoking. You'll even save money when you stop purchasing packs of cigarettes each day. Everything from exercise to meditation can help you quit smoking.
Meditation
Meditation can serve as a smoking alternative, particularly if you use smoking as a way to reduce stress, notes HelpGuide.org. Each day, sit and think about your reasons for quitting and how to deal with frequent cravings; this can help you say "no" when your friend offers you a cigarette. Set time aside each day to meditate, or find a place to meditate when you crave a cigarette.
Exercise
Heading out for a daily run can be a healthy and rewarding alternative to smoking. A study performed by Harvard, Yale and three other universities and published in "Nicotine & Tobacco Research" found that women who exercised when quitting smoking had a reduced rate of relapse and withdrawal symptoms. Exercise doesn't have to be expensive; jogging, dance and other methods of exercise are completely free.
Support Groups
Nicotine support groups are free and a good way to spend your time, especially when your other friends smoke. Spending time with smokers who are trying to quit can help you learn quitting strategies, commiserate about your efforts and gain strength to continue on the path to being a nonsmoker.
Water
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests drinking plenty of water instead of smoking. Not only will drinking water keep your mouth and hands busy, but it also can reduce some of the weight gain you may experience upon quitting. Keep an aluminum water bottle handy and refill as necessary throughout the day to stop your cravings.
Solitaire
It may seem an unlikely suggestion, but "Reader's Digest" notes that you may feel most tempted during your breaks at work. As your coworkers head outside for a smoke, substitute a game of solitaire on your computer. By staying inside, you won't be able to smoke, and you can keep your mind off your cravings as you challenge yourself with a computer game. If your computer doesn't have solitaire, surf the web, update your Facebook status or check your online banking to stay inside during your break.
References
- HelpGuide.org: How to Quit Smoking
- "Nicotine & Tobacco Research" April 2008: Exercise as an Adjunct to Nicotine Gum in Treating Tobacco Dependence Among Women: Taru Kinnunena, Robert F. Leemanb, Tellervo Korhonenc, Zandra N. Quilesd, Donna M. Terwala, Arthur J. Garveya, Howard L. Hartleye
- CDC: How Do I Handle It?
- "Reader's Digest": 25 Ways to Stop Smoking Cigarettes
