5 tips that helps in quitting smoking

Smoking, a widespread habit, carries significant health risks, often culminating in conditions like lung cancer. However, quitting tobacco proves to be a formidable challenge due to the cigarette addiction. Despite widespread knowledge of smoking’s harmful effects, societal stigma remains low, and personal awareness regarding the rapid deterioration of health is lacking. Consequently, an annual ‘No Smoking Day’ is observed worldwide to shed light on the detrimental impacts of tobacco use. In India alone, with over 260 million tobacco users across diverse demographics, more than a million lives are lost each year due to tobacco-related diseases. Additionally, passive smoking poses severe health risks, leading to conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

Here are some tips to help quit smoking:

1. Find a compelling reason: Whether it’s improving health, protecting loved ones from passive smoking, or aligning with personal or spiritual beliefs, identifying a strong reason to quit is crucial. This rationale should be powerful enough to overcome the urge to smoke.
2. Avoid triggers: Recognize and steer clear of situations that trigger smoking cravings, such as social gatherings or stress-inducing scenarios. Substitute tobacco coping mechanisms with healthier alternatives, like chewing gum, indulging in dark chocolate, or adopting lung-friendly habits.
3. Snack wisely: Combat cigarette cravings by keeping your mouth occupied with sugar-free gum, raw veggies, nuts, or seeds. Avoid dieting during the quitting process to prevent additional stress on the body, opting instead for a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein.
4. Engage in hobbies and physical activity: Distract yourself from tobacco cravings by staying physically active through exercise, yoga, or brisk walks. Alternatively, immerse yourself in hobbies like writing, art, gardening, or meditation to occupy your mind and reduce smoking urges.
5. Avoid the ‘just one’ trap: Resist the temptation to have just one cigarette, as it often leads to a relapse into regular smoking. Acknowledge that one cigarette can reignite the addiction, undermining your efforts to quit.