Quitting smoking is a very tough thing to do, even for people who have a lot of resolve. Whether you’ve been smoking for a short or a long time, it’s easy to quickly develop an addiction to nicotine that will leave you constantly feeling like you need a cigarette. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, nausea, headaches, and insomnia are just some of the reasons why people find it hard to quit cigarettes. We’ve put together some top tips to help you stay on track and finally give up smoking for good.
Quitting smoking is a tough ask, especially if you have been smoking for a long time and have not only developed a dependence on nicotine but also made smoking an integral habit and part of your life. So, if you slip up and have a cigarette when you’re stressed or a couple of smokes at a party, for example, don’t be too hard on yourself and tell yourself that tomorrow is a new day. It’s not unusual to feel like it’s the end of the world if you have one cigarette after resolving to quit but remember to focus on how far you’ve come – the fact that you’ve only had one cigarette rather than the amount that you used to smoke in a day is an achievement in itself.
There is absolutely no shame in using nicotine replacement therapies to help you quit cigarettes without having to deal with nasty nicotine withdrawal symptoms. In fact, many nicotine replacement products are recommended by health professionals to help you quit. One of the most popular nicotine replacement products today are e-cigarettes; these can come with or without nicotine, but only contain two other ingredients in the e-liquid – vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol. You can purchase tobacco-flavored e-liquid or choose from a range of tasty flavors from your vape juice.
There are many apps that you can download to your smartphone to help you quit smoking by tracking your progress. For example, you will be able to see how many cigarettes you haven’t smoked since quitting, how much money you’ve been able to save since your last cigarette, and how your health is improving over time on apps such as the Smoke-Free app, available for iOS and Android. This can be a great way to actively quit. Knowing how well you’re doing is excellent for motivation! You could even set a savings goal for a holiday, car, or anything else that you want but haven’t been able to afford until now.
Quitting smoking can be a very difficult process, so it’s always good to have support from others who know what you are going through. For example, you might want to quit smoking together with a friend or family member, so you can support and encourage each other throughout. Or, joining a stop smoking support group can also be very helpful in keeping you on track.
Have you successfully given up smoking for good? We’d love to hear your tips in the comments.