07-02-2023
Control Tobacco Cravings And Successfully Quit Smoking

Approximately every organ in the body can suffer damage from smoking, which is also the primary cause of a number of illnesses. Furthermore, it worsens smokers' overall health. However, the majority of smokers and tobacco users experience cravings or urges to smoke after trying to quit. If you give in to the urge, it will go away after 5 to 10 minutes. One less cigarette means you are one step closer to giving up smoking for good, so never forget why you decided to stop in the first place.

Prevent triggers: In the locations and circumstances where you have smoked the most frequently, cravings are typically the strongest. Discovering your triggers and avoiding them as much as you can is therefore important. In a similar vein, avoid resuming your smoking habit merely for sentimental reasons.

  • Delay: Try to resist smoking for at least 10 more minutes if you feel like giving in to the urge. A public smoke-free area is a good option if you want to distract yourself during that time. Such actions will assist you in overcoming your tobacco craving.

  • Take a chew: Try to put something to eat in your mouth to distract yourself if you're tempted to smoke. Chew on some candy or sugar-free gum. You could also eat some nuts or sunflower seeds as a substitute for a cigarette and believe in yourself that you don't need it.

  • Have only one: You might experience a strong urge and be tempted to smoke one cigarette to sate your craving if you see people around you smoking. Having just one, however, could get you into trouble because you might start using tobacco again. Don't fool yourself into thinking you will stop at just one.

  • Indulge in physical activity: In actuality, exercising is a fantastic way to withstand tobacco cravings. You may be able to stop smoking by engaging in activities like running up and down the stairs or going for a simple walk or jog. Additionally, you can divert yourself by bending your knees deeply, doing push-ups, and running in place.

  • Try some relaxation methods:Most people consider smoking to be a stress-reduction strategy. To put it mildly, quitting smoking can be stressful in and of itself. Therefore, it's crucial to find relaxing activities such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, yoga, massage, or listening to soothing music.

  • Join online support: To learn about other people who might be struggling with tobacco cravings, you can always enrol in an online quit smoking program or read a quilter's journey. Take advice from others and work to stop smoking as soon as you can.

Doctor
Dr. Shovna Veshnavi
Consultant
Department of Internal Medicine
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