Smoking is not suitable for your health and can negatively affect your body. It has also been proven to be highly addictive, with around 90% of the people who try smoking becoming regular smokers after their first few cigarettes.
Quitting smoking isn’t easy for many people – indeed, in the UK alone, around 9 million smokers are trying to give up. The struggle will continue for most people until they find an effective way to stop smoking that doesn’t make them go crazy or feel the need to see a therapist.
Fortunately, there are ways you can quit this nasty habit without going insane or feeling like you want to jump off a building. Read on if you want to know how.
1. Stay Away from People Who Smoke
The more you associate with smokers, the harder it will be to quit. While you’re a smoker, you’ll be subjected to peer pressure, want to fit in, and be more likely to smoke during moments of stress.
Hence, if you want to give up smoking, one of the most important things to do is to cut the social aspect of smoking. You will be less likely to reach for a cigarette if you don’t have anyone to smoke with. Being around smokers makes you crave cigarettes, making quitting much harder.
You can also try to avoid places where people smoke. It could mean steering clear of bars or clubs or even staying away from the vicinity of a person who smokes.
Instead, you can try vaping. There are many vaping devices in the market for vaping, but we recommend THC vaping. THC vape has many benefits, including a relaxed state of mind and reduced anxiety and stress.
2. Join a Support Group
Joining a support group is a fantastic way to meet other people who have gone through a similar experience. You’ll be able to share your struggles with people who know what you’re going through and have been in your shoes.
You’ll also be able to support others trying to quit smoking, making you feel good about yourself. Support groups can be found in many places. Usually, major cities will have support groups for people who want to quit smoking, while online support groups are also an excellent option for people in other cities.
Whichever option you choose, ensure the group is led by a trained professional, as this will help ensure the group remains a safe place for people to share their experiences.
3. Exercise is Your Friend
Exercising can help you to focus your mind and keep you from craving cigarettes. Even if you only have time for a five-minute walk around the block, it can help you to clear your head and make you less likely to smoke.
Exercising has other benefits, too. It is proven to lower your heart disease and stroke risk while also helping you lose weight if necessary. Not only this, but it can also help reduce your risk of developing certain types of cancer, improving your overall mood and energy levels.
4. Talk to a therapist or counselor
If you struggle to quit smoking, booking an appointment with a therapist or counselor might be worth booking an appointment. You’ll be able to open up about how you feel about quitting and the process.
You may also be able to talk about other things that are bothering you. Therapy can help you deal with feelings and emotions while keeping your mind focused on quitting smoking. It can also help you deal with any cravings you may have. If you’re worried about the cost of seeing a counselor or therapist, don’t be. Some local health services provide free or low-cost counseling and therapy sessions. You may even be able to find someone qualified to help you online for a reduced price.
5. Pick a hobby and stay busy
When trying to quit smoking, it’s best to keep yourself busy so your mind doesn’t have time to wander. When you’re not focused on something, your thoughts tend to go to things you’re avoiding or stress you out. If you’re trying to quit smoking, your mind will probably wander toward cigarettes.
Therefore, the best way to avoid this is to stay busy. You can do anything to keep your mind off cigarettes. You can do chores around the house, walk, exercise, clean your car, go shopping, hang out with friends, read a book, or do anything else you enjoy.
It can be difficult, but with the help of a hobby, you should be able to fill your time with productive activities that keep your mind from wandering back to smoking cigarettes. You can choose whatever hobby you like, whether playing sports, playing an instrument, or taking a course.
Make sure your hobby is something you enjoy so you can be entirely focused on it. It will help you be less likely to crave cigarettes while doing it.
Conclusion
Quitting smoking can be a challenging experience, but it doesn’t have to be as hard as you might think. If you follow these tips, you’re sure to have an easier time of it than you would otherwise. If you’re struggling to quit, don’t be ashamed. You’re not alone, and plenty of people around want to help. Get in touch with your doctor and ask for help, or look online for support groups or forums where you can get advice from others in the same situation.
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