Have you been fighting a battle against smoking but can’t seem to win? Have you spent your hard-earned money on various treatments and medications that have convinced smokers like you that they are 100% effective but don’t seem to have as much of an effect?
That’s because you can’t really quit smoking if you just solely rely on these therapies. You have to help yourself, because withdrawal symptoms are more intense when you are not in a clinic and you are receiving your smoking cessation therapies.
These are some of the methods that smokers have used outside of their smoking cessation therapies to win their battle and become non-smokers. Choose the one that is most comfortable for you or all 4.
Delay
Whenever you feel the urge to inhale, try to delay it. Say, take a few minutes, a half hour, an hour, a day. Delay it as long as you can. This will help you strengthen your threshold against the cravings you are going through.
However, don’t get frustrated if you can’t completely overcome tobacco addiction right away. It is natural to relapse. Many smokers, especially those who have just begun to find the courage to quit, have a weaker threshold. So when the urge takes over and you just can’t avoid smoking by delaying it, proceed to the second D: deep breathing.
Deep breathing
Deep breathing and meditation have long been shown to effectively help smokers kick the habit. They are perfect aids, especially when you have withdrawal symptoms. Smokers trying to quit often experience headaches, dizziness and restlessness, deep breathing and meditation can help you relax from within until the urge is gone.
Deep breathing and meditation work from the inside out, helping you focus on your inner strengths and identify your weaknesses – in this case, nicotine addiction. Hypnosis to quit smoking is a great way to overcome urges and relax.
Drinking water
If the urge to smoke is really strong and you have to do something about it, try drinking water instead. Water refreshes the body and eliminates toxins. It does not have the same effects as nicotine, but it can help calm you down. Remember that the longer you go without smoking, the sooner you can overcome withdrawal symptoms; once the body is completely rid of the nicotine, the less you will want to smoke.
Whenever you can’t cope with the urge by following the 3 steps mentioned above, you can always do something else and make smoking difficult. Work out, work out in the gym, help with housework, paint, dance, do some gardening. Do anything to keep your hands busy and your mind busy.
Combine these methods with a smoking cessation program and you will be amazed at how quickly you can become a healthy non-smoker.
