Perhaps there isn't a smoker who hasn't tried at least once to quit smoking. Unfortunately, very few succeed on the first try. What can help to get rid of a bad habit once and for all?
psychological dependence
Smoking is not only a physiological but also a psychological addiction. It is believed that nicotine cravings disappear even within a month of smoking the last cigarette. However, many return to smoking after a long time, feeling that the body needs a dose of nicotine.
Because the brain makes the body buy another pack of cigarettes and puff on it. Smoking is a kind of conditioned reflex. People get used to smoking to relax or relieve tension, and a cup of coffee with a cigarette becomes a familiar morning ritual.
How to help yourself get rid of psychological addiction? The first thing to try is replacing one ritual with another. For example, drink a cup of green tea instead of smoking during a break from work.
If the smoker works at home rather than in the office, the urge to smoke can be relieved with exercise, such as a few sit-ups. In addition, you can make it a habit to brush your teeth whenever you have a craving for inhalation. Of course, at first you will have to do this quite often, but this trick will help a lot to "fool" the brain, replacing one ritual with another.
It helps a lot not to quit smoking alone, but with like-minded people. For example, there are forums on the internet where people inspire each other to break bad habits. There you can start a special counter that will show how long a person has not smoked and how much money he has saved.
This creates a visible motivation to quit smoking, because in a month it will be felt that quitting smoking has saved a significant amount that can be spent on something pleasant.
Sometimes people who quit smoking are "tempted" by others, such as co-workers who claim that quitting is impossible because they have been unsuccessful, or who remind the person of their previous unsuccessful attempts.
It is advisable not to laugh at this, but to ask others not to say such words. They can certainly cause a person to lose motivation and lack self-confidence. In addition, any unnecessary reminder of smoking leads to a desire to take at least one puff.
The absence of objects resembling cigarettes in the field of vision helps in smoking cessation. It is better to throw out ashtrays and lighters and wash clothes that smell of tobacco smoke.
Physiological Addiction
Getting rid of physiological addiction can be quite difficult, some people may even experience a state resembling withdrawal in the early days. To make nicotine withdrawal easier, you should consult a doctor who will prescribe you special pills that will help relieve the symptoms of smoking cessation. You can also buy chewing gum or patches in any pharmacy that contain a small amount of nicotine and make it easier to overcome withdrawal symptoms.
If a person is uncomfortable after making the decision to quit smoking, hot baths can help relieve tension.
You can get a massage or even start taking mild tranquilizers. Finding a way to relieve tension is important, especially in the early days, when the craving to smoke is at its strongest.