Top 10 Tips to Quit Smoking

Top 10 Tips to Quit Smoking

Ways to Stop Smoking

People get addicted to various types of habits in life including watching TV, playing PC games or partying. However, hardly anything can be as harmful as smoking cigar or any nicotine based substance. Despite knowing the several detrimental effects of smoking, billions of people smoke everyday across the world, they become so hooked to the habit. It is not restricted to men any longer, with several hundred women resorting to smoking each year.


Why Quitting Smoking is So Tedious

Despite their plans to give up smoking millions of men and women carry on with the harmful habit. This sounds simple but giving up smoking becomes hard for a number of factors. A majority of smokers fail to quit smoking because

  • They cannot refuse peer offers and work culture in male dominated workplaces
  • Like hunger pangs, the craving to puff arises at certain timings
  • They live in an atmosphere where smokers are a majority
  • The commercials of smoking and tobacco stir their mind

Ways To Quit Smoking

Since it is not a cakewalk to give up smoking, you need to prepare your mind well. You have to be consistent and take a slow yet steady approach towards the goal. Below listed are a few tips that will help you quit the habit of smoking in a permanent way:


Thinking Positive

Thinking positive

It may so happen that you had tried to quit smoking, earlier but did not succeed. However, this time you can begin with a positive approach. Read inspirational books and that can help you stay motivated.


Make a Systematic Plan

It is important that you make a plan to give up smoking totally. If you used to smoke 10 to 12 cigars per day, try to cut down on the number gradually. Set a timeframe by which you will reduce the amount by half and another for making it one fourth. This way, you can curtail the habit slowly but steadily.


Make Changes to Diet

While many smokers are simply not aware about it, making some changes to what you eat can help you quit smoking gradually. Some foods like meat may make cigarette satisfying after meals. On the contrary, foods like fruits and cheese can create the opposite effect on your mind.

Make changes to diet


Change What You Drink

Like foods, the beverages you drink can increase or reduce your craving for smoking. To ensure you do not get cravings for a puffing, refrain from drinking cola and fizzy drinks much. Instead, take more juice and water.


Find Out Times When You Crave For a Puff

There are certain times of the day when you may feel an enhanced craving to smoke a cigar. Try to engage yourself in activities in such times. It is easier said than done, but you should try this.


Make a List

Sometimes you need visual motivators to help you achieve a goal, whether it is for professional or personal life. Make a list of reasons why you want to give up smoking and print it. Paste it on the wall of your room.


Exercise

Exercise help reduce craving for smoking

Studies have indicated physical activities and workouts may help reduce craving for smoking. You may engage in jogging, walking the dog or running in the park at times for this.


Be- Friend Non Smokers


It would be a good idea to befriend people who either do not smoke or have given up the habit successfully. You may also find such people in many social media websites.


Take Up a New Hobby

To quit smoking, you can get involved doing things you like in spare times. It can be charitable work, hitting the gym, painting or gardening. If your hands and mouth remains busy, you will not be able to smoke anyway.

Take up a new hobby


Seek Professional Help

If the aforesaid tips do not help much, you may seek professional help to quit smoking. There are a number of entities and NGOs that offer support for people who want to give up smoking. Their services can be useful for you.

Reviewed By:

Dr. Kaushal M. Bhavsar (MBBS, MD)

Assistant Professor in Pulmonary Medicine, GMERS Medical College, Ahmedabad