They say that old habits die hard. But with will and determination, you can overcome these. Smoking is one of these habits that do nothing but harm your health. Here are tips on how to stop smoking effectively.
Medically reviewed by Regina Victoria Boyles, MD · Pediatrics
They say that old habits die hard. But with will and determination, you can overcome these. Smoking is one of these habits that do nothing but harm your health. Here are tips on how to stop smoking effectively.
According to the World Health Organization, smoking kills an estimated 8,000,000 every year. Data also shows that 19% of adults all around the world are smokers, with men being more likely to smoke than women.
Smoking has been proven to cause a myriad of health problems like cancer. And yet, the numbers show that a considerable amount of people all across the globe still choose to smoke.
Smoking is a difficult habit to kick because most cigarettes contain nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance. If your body gets used to smoking, you will start craving the effects of nicotine and will soon become addicted to it. That is why it is urgent to learn how to stop smoking effectively.
Smokers usually find smoking enjoyable because nicotine alters the levels of dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain, lowering stress and anxiety levels temporarily.
Once a person’s body gets used to nicotine, a person will have to smoke more cigarettes in order to feel its effects. This is how a person gets addicted to smoking.
Aside from nicotine, cigarettes also contain harmful chemicals like:
Those mentioned above are just some of the harmful substances found in cigarettes that you will be introducing into your body every time you smoke. As these are highly poisonous, it is important to kick the habit immediately and learn how to stop smoking effectively.
Smoking can have negative effects on your health like:
When you can stop smoking, you can immediately reap health benefits. Cigarettes only have adverse effects on a person’s health, and can only offer temporary relief from stress or anxiety. With the aforementioned conditions, you can try other means like meditation and breathing exercises.
One of the main reasons why you should consider quitting is the simple fact that quitting smoking will add more years to your life. Quitting can also mean that your loved ones are safe from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
To give you a clear picture of why you should stop smoking, here are the benefits of quitting smoking hour by hour:
Over time, if you manage to completely eliminate cigarette smoking from your life then your body is able to restore itself to its normal and healthy functions. Keeping these benefits in mind will help you deal with nicotine withdrawal.
Once your body gets used to the nicotine found in cigarettes, it can be much more difficult to quit smoking. This is because you undergo withdrawal.
During the first week of your attempts to quit smoking, you will feel the urge to smoke which can cause you to relapse. Other symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are:
People also report feeling flu-like symptoms, or just feeling flat-out terrible. This can make a person start to smoke again because of how terrible they feel.
If you’re suffering any symptoms from withdrawal, then you may consult your physician about Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), which can involve products like patches, gum, or even lozenges. These can help divert your attention away from your cravings.
Some people report feeling chest pain once they quit smoking, and this can definitely be part of withdrawal symptoms. You may also feel constipated or nauseous during the first few weeks of quitting. If chest pain and other symptoms persist beyond that, then it is best to contact your healthcare provider right away.
Quitting your smoking habit is the first step to becoming a healthier and better version of yourself. It can be an uphill battle trying to live a nicotine-free life, which is why it is important to remain steadfast and never be afraid of trying again. Learning how to stop smoking effectively will help you from relapsing and to more successfully live cigarette-free!
For more information about your options regarding Nicotine Replacement Therapy and other ways you can do to stop smoking, it’s best to consult a health professional.
Learn more about Healthy Habits here.
Disclaimer
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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