Many people that get hooked on smoking cigarettes wish they could quit. After all, cigarettes are costly over time, are linked to a slew of health problems, and can interfere in many social situations where smoking is banned or frowned upon. With all the negative effects of lighting up, it’s no surprise that many people are trying to quit. However, smoking is a challenging habit to break, especially when you don’t know where to begin. Consider these five strategies to help kick the habit.
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Switching to a Safer Option
Quitting “cold turkey” is infamously difficult because of the addictive properties of cigarettes. Even if you’ve grown attached smoking, how about at least switching to a safer alternative? Vaping has become increasingly popular for this very reason. Many former smokers find comfort in being able to replace their tobacco-smoking routine with a vaping one. Luckily, with the large selection of vaping products from specialty retailers such as SaltBae50, there are plenty of products to hold your attention as you transition away from cigarettes.
Evaluating Your Social Circles
Many people who have achieved something challenging attribute their success to not only self-discipline and determination, but also to the support of their social circle. The same can be true when it comes to tobacco cessation. When you are surrounded by people who want you to succeed, it can be that much easier to accomplish your goal. While you are weaning yourself off smoking, it can be helpful to avoid those who thwart your efforts purposely or even unintentionally. In addition, if you know there are certain social situations where you will be especially tempted to smoke, it can be helpful to recognize them and mentally prepare yourself, or simply avoid them altogether if possible.
Think About Conditioning
Physiologist Ivan Pavlov revealed to the world the mechanics of conditioning. When it comes to smoking, some can be conditioned and reinforced to want to do it whenever a certain stimulus is present. As discussed earlier, sometimes that stimulus is a social situation or environment. Perhaps for others, cravings are brought on by boredom, anxious situations, or simply embedded in a daily routine. By zeroing in on the stimuli that may influence a craving, it can help someone to recognize it and be prepared with strategies on how to counter it.
Try Medication
Physiologically speaking, the nicotine found in tobacco is addictive in and of itself. By recognizing the bodily reactions resulting from its use, scientists and medical professionals have been able to formulate medications that can help counter its effects on a chemical level. If premium-quality vape juice and other alternative products aren’t enough to prevent you from going back to cigarettes, it may be time to try a different approach. Patches, gum, and pills, for example, work similarly to do that. Speaking to a doctor can help you determine if these methods may be effective for you.
Get Help From the Experts
Finding the source of your addiction might not be a challenge for those are very introspective, but others might need professional support. From an outsider’s perspective, smoking may look the same regardless of who is doing it. While smokers all go through the same motions, the reason behind the habit can vary significantly. Whether you receive help from someone who specializes in addiction in general, or tobacco cessation specifically, it can be helpful regardless to have someone who knows how to help you define your challenge, set realistic goals, and most importantly, meet those goals. With the different types of help available, you don’t need to go it alone. While one may benefit most from one-on-one counseling, another might find that joining a support group is what provides the motivation needed to finally quit. With all the options out there, you can be on your way to making this positive change in your life.
