Smoking Cessation: 4 Tips To Naturally Stop Nicotine Cravings
Artwork©Hanna Liakhova/123rf.com
There are currently over 34 million Americans who smoke cigarettes, and 16 million of them have developed smoking-related illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and emphysema. Statistics show that 50% of smokers try to quit, but only 3 in 5 are successful.
There are many reasons one might want to stop smoking aside from developing illnesses. One reason may be that smoking traditional tobacco products has become quite expensive. Smokers that consume a pack daily can spend anywhere between $150 to $330 per month. This is in addition to the other materials smokers typically use like lighters, mints, air fresheners, and colognes. Smoking has also become less socially acceptable, so maybe it’s time to kick the habit.
Here are a few tips to help:
- Stay Physically Active
One of the main reasons people smoke is because it helps reduce anxiety. Thankfully, there are many ways to relieve stress. Physical activity, for example, is proven to ease anxiety as it promotes the production of serotonin in your body, also known as the happy hormone. Staying active also serves as a way to distract yourself from the things that make you anxious, such as doing cardio or participating in high-intensity interval training. You can also engage in lower-impact alternatives such as yoga and walking. - Get Enough Sleep
Sleep also plays a big role in controlling anxiety, and simply getting the recommended seven to nine hours every night can make a noticeable difference. To improve the quality of your sleep, try to avoid screen time an hour before bed and don’t drink caffeinated beverages past noontime. Keeping your bedroom cool and dark can also promote melatonin production, a relaxation hormone, providing you with an easier time falling asleep. - Try Acupuncture
A popular, yet ancient form of Chinese medicine, acupuncture is a natural way to promote better physical and mental wellbeing, as well as target specific problems such as nicotine addiction. Receiving acupuncture treatmentsis well-documented as an effective therapy to stop smoking. Treatments can even be received in a low-cost group setting completely through the use of ear acupuncture points. Acupuncture can also provide relaxation and stress relief to clients, helping to curb cravings and eliminate dependency on cigarettes as a form of relaxation. - Find Support
Quitting cigarette addiction is difficult — especially if the people around you are also avid smokers. You might feel pressured to join them for social reasons or by the distinct smell of a burning cigarette. To make the lifestyle change easier, find people who do not smoke to add to your daily life, who will help support you through the withdrawal process. Whether they are coaching or counseling professionals, or newfound friends and associates, they can motivate you to keep going and remind how far you have come. Find support groups you can attend, as you will be able to hear the stories of others, which will reinforce to you that you have made the right decision to live a much healthier life without cigarettes. Give yourself space and remember that this is a hard process for anyone and that continuing on this path will make you a stronger, healthier person inside and out.
Peach Burrows is a health and lifestyle writer, focusing on ways people can take charge of their wellness. When she isn’t working, Peach loves to go on hikes with her three dogs for meditation and exercise.
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