In the U.S. alone there are an estimated 36.5 million adults who smoke cigarettes . Smoking is one of the most harmful habits as it increases the risk of stroke, lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and a decreased immune system. The habit kills thousands of people each year yet despite knowing the risks, so many people continue to smoke.
Looking to finally kick the smoking habit to the curb? Here are 5 ways to quit smoking without using medication.
- Try Vaping
Vaping has become the go-to option for those looking to make smoking a habit of the past without losing the experience and feeling of smoking. Vaping is much less harmful than smoking a cigarette despite the fact that you’ll still have exposure to nicotine, as the chemical is found in most vape juice brands. You can find online reviews for vapes to help you pick the right vape for your needs.
Switching to vaping allows you to still have the taste and throat hit that most smokers love but you’ll have peace of mind that you aren’t taking in harmful chemicals and carcinogens. Several studies have found that vaping is safe and the smoking cessation tool has become wildly popular across the globe.
- Find New Coping Methods
Most smokers pick up the habit as a way to reduce their stress levels. While smoking may temporarily put your mind at ease, is the short relief worth the dozens of health risks? If you smoke because of a high stress levels, take time to find healthier yet enjoyable stress relief.
Are you unsure of how to lower stress and tension without picking up a cigarette? Try:
- Practicing yoga
- Exercise
- Taking up a new hobby
- Volunteering
- Reading a book
By embracing healthy habits that also reduce your stress levels, you can avoid going from one destructive habit to the next. People who are addicted to smoking are more often to trade one addiction for another.
- Consider Acupuncture
Acupuncture has proven to be useful in treating all sorts of health conditions including inflammation and arthritis. The Chinese medical practice has also been proven to help smokers quit the habit for good. Acupuncture can curb cigarette cravings. In turn, the treatment can also help someone to overcome a nicotine addiction. An added benefit of acupuncture is that the technique is calming. Since many smokers use cigarettes to reduce their stress and anxiety levels, acupuncture can alleviate the emotional and mental factors that drive someone to smoke.
While the idea of having tiny needles stuck into your skin, many people report that acupuncture isn’t painful at all. The needles are extremely thin and aren’t inserted far into the skin like a needle that’s used to draw blood or to administer a vaccination.
- Going Cold Turkey? Be Prepared
If you’ve ever tried to quit smoking in the past, you know that kicking the habit is easier said than done. While you may make the decision to throw away your cigarettes and promise yourself to never light up again, a pack of cigarettes is just around the corner.
Quitting cold turkey is a bold but possible method to put an end to the habit. To prepare yourself, it’s best to ease your brain off of nicotine. To do this, slowly decrease the amount of cigarettes you smoke. Going from five cigarettes a day to none is more likely to stick rather than smoking a pack a day to none.
Other tips include undergoing counseling and attending support groups. The more support you have, the more likely it is that you’ll have the right environment that encourages you to kick your smoking habit.
- Avoid Triggers
If you’re like many smokers, chances are that when you drink, your cigarette cravings increase. When ending your smoking habit, it’s best to avoid alcohol, high-stress situations, and other triggers like drinking coffee that may increase your cravings.
To start, think about when you smoke the most. Is it after you drink? In social situations? After a meal? Understanding the details of your habit makes quitting much easier. By avoiding triggers, you’re more likely to see your goals through to the very end.
In those situations that typically involve smoking, find something else to do. For example if you tend to smoke after you drink your morning cup of coffee, do something else instead. Brush your teeth or suck on a mind. Go for a walk and breathe in some fresh air.
By avoiding triggers and replacing smoking with other actions, you’re much more likely to be successful in your venture to quitting smoking for good.
Conclusion
Quitting smoking is no easy feat. Like any other addiction, staying free of cigarettes is a lifelong battle. With these 5 methods in mind, you can quit smoking without ever spending money on smoking cessation medication. Do you have any tips for resisting the urge to smoke? Leave us a comment in the section below.
