Smoking is a universal problem affecting both genders, young and old. Additionally, one thing is common among most smokers is that they all want to quit. We all know that smoking is bad for your health no matter how well we try and sugarcoat it. It’s the number one cause of preventable deaths in the world, as well as the leading cause of heart disease, cancer, and amputations.
So, to anyone trying to quit smoking out there, it’s never too late and neither is it too early. The time is now. Here are four pieces of advice for those who want to stop smoking.
It all starts with a plan
Like any other big decision in your life, it’s important to have a plan and a strategy. After deciding that you are ready to quit smoking, it’s important that you set a quit date, preferably not too far in the future. In doing this, you have enough time to prepare both physically and psychologically. There are two ways that have been proven to be effective to stop smoking. These are:
- Quitting Abruptly – This one is also known as the “cold turkey” method. Once you set a quit date, you may continue right until the d-day and then stop.
- Gradual Process – This strategy involves reducing the number of cigarettes consumed in a day right until you reach your quit date and then stopping.
These two tactics are effective but it’s up to you to go with what best suits you. Once you’ve got the plan all laid up, it’s important for you to notify your family, friends, and co-workers of your decision.
Try out alternatives/substitutes
There are alternative therapies that are useful and effective when quitting cigarettes. Although they may not work for everyone, there is evidence that these methods work. These include the use of filters, herbs and supplements, hypnosis, and e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes are not designed to help with quitting the habit of smoking. However, most people still use them to give up the habit. To get more inspiration about e-cigarettes and vaping products, you can visit vaporizer UK and check out the many products they have to offer.
Undergoing Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
Most attempts for those wanting to go cold turkey without the use of NRTs are not very successful. No one should ever underestimate the power of nicotine dependence. There are several types of NRTs known to be effective in helping those who want to quit the habit. Chewing gums
- Lozenges
- Nasal sprays (prescription)
- Skin patches
Before deciding on the NRT route, it’s important that you discuss the various options with your healthcare provider. This is because you may experience some side effects depending on the method.
Counselling and behavioural support
There are so many challenges a smoker will face when quitting the habit. These include withdrawals and cravings. In addition to this, there are triggers, mood swings, and one may also experience a bigger appetite after quitting. In this case, it’s imperative to have a support programme to help in managing these challenges as well as in handling the emotional and physical dependency issues.
Finally, it all boils down to what works best for you. It is therefore important that before you decide on quitting the habit, ensure that you’ve weighed all the options to improve your chances of becoming a smoke-free individual.
