For smokers, it can sometimes feel impossible to break the habit of going for a cigarette.
Here are the reasons to stop smoking!
We all know how damaging it is to our health, but like with any addiction, stopping is easier said than done.
Of course, with it being January, many people will have tried to ditch the habit as part of their New Year resolution. Some will find it easy to go ‘cold turkey’, whereas others may need something to aid them in their journey to better health.
For those that can decide to instantly quit – fantastic. But this is not the case for everyone, no matter how much willpower they have.
Thankfully, there are more and more resources available for people who want to kick the habit once and for all.
There are now plenty of services which can help someone stop smoking.
Here are some ways you can help yourself to kick the habit.
Speak to your GP
Your GP will be able to show you services which are accessible for if you want to quit smoking. They will be able to point you in the direction of a local stop smoking service. There is also an NHS Smokefree helpline which you may find of use. That number is 0300 123 1044.
Think about what it is you’re doing
If going cold turkey isn’t for you, try and change the way you think about cigarettes. Whenever you go for a smoke, think about what exactly you’re doing to your body and to your health. The more you focus on how badly smoking affects your health, the more likely you will become fed up of it enough to not want to smoke at all.
Find a distraction
When you crave a cigarette, find something that distracts your mind and body. Going for a five-minute walk, breathing in the fresh air or stretching is a good way to try and beat the craving for a cigarette.
Think about your cravings
Some people find that they crave cigarettes more after eating, or whilst drinking alcohol. If this is the case for you, it might be helpful to change the way you eat and drink slightly until you are comfortably smoke free.
For example, if you crave cigarettes when you are drinking alcohol, switch to non-alcoholic drinks instead or limit your alcohol intake.
If you find that you crave a cigarette after eating, change your routine after mealtimes. Doing something to distract you from that craving after eating may help – like doing the dishes straight away or going for a walk.
Keep your hands and mouth busy
Sometimes it is not the nicotine which a person struggles to give up – it’s the routine that comes with smoking. Keeping your hands and mouth busy is a good way to keep any cravings at bay. Ways you can do this are by drinking more water or chewing gum.
If you often break your day up by going for a cigarette, it can feel like you’ve lost that routine when you decide to quit. But you can continue to take those little breaks – just use them to enjoy the fresh air instead!
Think about the benefits
There are so many benefits to stopping smoking – not just on your health, but in every aspect of your life. Here are just a few:
You will decrease the chances of getting heart disease, having a stroke, respiratory disease, vascular disease and a very long list of cancers. Your life expectancy will be greater, and you’ll notice an improvement in the symptoms of smoking related diseases.
You will feel fitter and more energetic, meaning you will be more able to take part and enjoy physical activity. Physical activity is also great for your mental health!
Your carbon monoxide and oxygen levels will return to normal (similar to those who have never smoked) and within weeks you will benefit from a reduction in the risk of sudden death from a heart attack, improvement in lung function, less coughing and shortness of breath, and fewer asthma attacks should you suffer from those.
The longer you go without having a cigarette, the more the health benefits reap in! After a year of quitting your risk of coronary heart disease will have cut by half.
You will save a lot of money. Cigarettes are always going up in price – think of all the things you could spend your money on if you didn’t buy all that tobacco! If on average you smoke 20 cigarettes a day, you’re likely to save around £3,500 a year – that’s a really good holiday!
Not only will it benefit your own life, but you will also prevent harm from others. Stopping smoking can also help the health of your friends and family.
If you’re pregnant, you’ll be reducing the risk of harm to your baby, and if you live with young people, you’ll be setting an example for them to follow in not smoking.
You'll also get rid of that awful stale smell that sticks to your clothing after smoking a cigarette. With the money you save from quitting, why not treat yourself to a new perfume? Because your senses will improve, you'll be able to smell that lovely scent all day long instead!
Spend more time with non-smokers
Sometimes, being in the company of smokers can make it harder to quit. Being around the smell of smoke or the routine of others who are smoking can trigger cravings. Spending time with non-smokers will take you away from those temptations.
You don’t have to ditch all your smoking friends for life – just take control of your cravings.
Think positively
This seem like a silly thing to say when you are trying to break an addiction but thinking positively really will boost your likelihood of giving up for good.
Think about all the people who have quit smoking. Some people quit after smoking for decades. It is do-able! You can do it!
If you need more help or support to quit smoking, there’s plenty of information on the NHS website which you can find here.
http://tobaccofreelife.org/
MORE: What does it mean to dream about smoking?
Tagged in Health