Stop lighting and start living: 5 tips to quit smoking

Lots of people smoke cigarettes in this day and age; an unhealthy habit that can lead you down the road to multiple heath issues.

This habit takes over your life and you will be stuck in this addiction unless you decide to make a change.

If you want to quit, put these 5 tips into practice:

1. Cause: People always smoke for a reason and each person has a different reason. You need to ask yourself: Why exactly do I smoke? Maybe out of boredom or stress, or even trying to get rid of unpleasant feelings such as sadness and anger.

Knowing the cause can help you move forward in your plan to quit.

2. Triggers: The most common triggers are alcohol, other smokers, end of a meal, and stressful or unpleasant situations. To curb these triggers, one can switch to non-alcoholic drinks for a start.

Tell people about your decision to quit so they are aware and they won’t smoke when you’re in the car with them or taking a coffee break together.

In your workplace, find non-smokers to have your breaks with or find other things to do, such as taking a walk.

For many smokers, ending a meal means lighting up.

However, you can try replacing that moment after a meal with something else, such as a piece of fruit, a healthy dessert, a square of chocolate, or a stick of gum.

3. Manage cigarette cravings: Distract yourself by doing the dishes, turning on the TV, taking a shower, or calling a friend.

The activity doesn’t matter, as long as it gets your mind off smoking. Even taking a walk or exercising can help in curbing the craving.

Get out of a tempting situation, as where you are or what you’re doing may be triggering the craving, especially if it is boring or causing you stress.

If so, a change of scenery or doing something else can make all the difference.

4. Dump the cigarettes: Get rid of cigarettes at home, work or anywhere you are on a daily basis.

5. There’s no such thing as “just one” cigarette after you quit: Don’t be fooled into thinking that you can have the odd cigarette just to be sociable or just to get over a difficult moment.

If you do, you’ll find yourself relapsing into the addiction.

Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or  for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there!