13 Powerful Tips To Help You Quit Smoking

The first full month of the New Year is coming to an end and many of us are fighting off the temptation to quit working on our many New Year Resolutions.

A common resolution for most people who smoke is to quit smoking for the New Year . However, without a clear goal in mind, one can easily get distracted during their fight to quit smoking.

In order to help you stick to your guns and put down the cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products, Tribeca Smiles has decided to provide our readers with some tips to help you quit smoking in 2015.

Via: WebMD

It may be tempting to toss your cigarettes and declare you’ve quit, plain and simple. But going cold turkey isn’t easy to do. About 95% of people who try to stop smoking without therapy or medication end up relapsing . The reason is that nicotine is addictive. The brain becomes used to having nicotine and craves it. In its absence, the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal occur.

When you stop smoking, nicotine withdrawal may make you feel frustrated, depressed, restless, or irritable . The craving for “just one drag” may be overwhelming. Nicotine-replacement therapy can help reduce these feelings. Studies suggest nicotine gum, lozenges, and patches can help double your chances of quitting successfully when used with an intensive behavioral program. But using these products while smoking is generally not recommended.

To ease nicotine withdrawal without using products that contain nicotine, ask your doctor about prescription medications. There are pills that help reduce cravings by affecting chemicals in the brain . They may also make smoking less satisfying if you do pick up a cigarette. Other drugs can help reduce troubling withdrawal symptoms, such as depression or inability to concentrate.

Tell your friends, family, and co-workers that you’re trying to quit. Their encouragement could make the difference . You may also want to join a support group or talk to a counselor. Behavioral therapy is a type of counseling that helps you identify and stick to quit-smoking strategies. Combine behavioral therapy with nicotine replacement products and/or medication to boost your odds of success.

One reason people smoke is that the nicotine helps them relax. Once you quit, you’ll need another way to cope with stress . Try getting regular massages, listening to relaxing music, or learning yoga or tai chi. If possible, avoid stressful situations during the first few weeks after you stop smoking.

Certain activities may boost your urge to smoke . Alcohol is one of the most common triggers, so try to drink less when you first quit. If coffee is a trigger, switch to tea for a few weeks. And if you usually smoke after meals, find something else to do instead, like brushing your teeth or chewing gum.

Once you’ve smoked your last cigarette, toss all of your ashtrays and lighters . Wash any clothes that smell like smoke and clean your carpets, draperies, and upholstery. Use air fresheners to help rid your home of that familiar scent. You don’t want to see or smell anything that reminds you of smoking.

It’s very common to have a relapse. Many smokers try several times before giving up cigarettes for good. Examine the emotions and circumstances that lead to your relapse . Use it as an opportunity to reaffirm your commitment to quitting. Once you’ve made the decision to try again, set a “quit date” within the next month.

Physical activity can help reduce nicotine cravings and ease some withdrawal symptoms. When you want to reach for a cigarette, put on your inline skates or jogging shoes instead. Even mild exercise is helpful, such as walking the dog or pulling weeds in the garden. The extra calories you burn will also ward off weight gain as you quit smoking.

Don’t try to diet while giving up cigarettes — too much deprivation is bound to backfire. Instead, focus on eating more fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products . A Duke University study suggests these foods make cigarettes taste terrible. This gives you a leg up in fighting your cravings while providing disease-fighting nutrients.

In addition to the tremendous health benefits, one of the perks of giving up cigarettes is all the money you will save . Reward yourself by spending part of it on something fun.

There’s more than the monetary reward to consider. Smoking cessation has immediate health benefits . It lowers your blood pressure and reduces your pulse after only 20 minutes. Within a day, the carbon monoxide level in your blood returns to normal. Within two weeks to three months, your risk of a heart attack decreases and your lungs begin to function better. Long-term benefits include a reduced risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and other cancers.

Smoking does serious damage to your smile, and here at Tribeca Smiles we truly believe that a smile goes a long way.

Call us today to schedule your New Year dental cleaning and exam.

This entry was posted in Tribeca Smiles Dental Blog and tagged 13 Powerful Tips To Help You Quit Smoking, quit smoking, tips to quit smoking, tobacco on January 29, 2015 by tribecasmiles.

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