subject: A Summary Of Ways To Quit Smoking For Good [print this page] Different people are motivated to quit smoking for a variety of reasons and there are just as many systems, drugs and herbs on the market designed to assist people in achieving their goal. As the damaging consequences of smoking - both on the body and on the pocket -becoming increasingly recognised, so increasing numbers of smokers are looking to overcome their addiction.
Some organisations and individuals maintain that it is relatively easy to stop smoking and some have made considerable amounts of money from making it easier for others to quit. For the majority, however, giving up the nicotine habit is stressful, arduous and associated with bad temper and agitation.
As a result, a wide range of organisations and businesses have produced a variety of products and therapies for helping people give up cigarettes. For many, the use of nicotine replacement patches or chewing gum helps to relieve the side effects of giving up and therefore help ensure success. For others, alternative approaches like hypnotherapy or acupuncture, prove effective.
Over the past 20 years or so there has been a lot of research into the specific characteristics of the drug, nicotine, and the type of addiction it causes. This means we now have a much clearer understanding of the psychological and behavioural features of smoking and, as a result, more and more people use some type of cognitive behaviour therapy to help them understand their habit and the times of day that are most likely to trigger cravings for a cigarette.
For some, the gradual reduction of nicotine prior to giving up makes it easier to quit the habit altogether. This can be done either by gradually reducing the number or the strength of the cigarettes smoked. Alternatively, there are instruments made expressly for the purpose of reducing the amount of nicotine that enters the lungs. This technique can prove successful but is dependent on the nature of the individual's habit and the associations they have with smoking.
In recent years, the popularity of herbs and herbal products means that there are numerous items available to help reduce cravings as well as accelerate the time it takes for nicotine to be removed from the system. Other natural substances can assist in reducing side-effects connected with giving up smoking, such as nervous tension and feelings of uneasiness.
Foods or supplements containing antioxidants and vitamins can help the body flush out the poisons accumulated by smoking as well as reducing the severity of the cravings. As many people experience stress or irritability when they quit, practicing yoga or meditation can also be advantageous. Some ex-smokers use substitutes such as chewing gum or liquorice root as a healthier alternative to a cigarette. This method has certain limitations as the triggers that make them want to smoke are not dealt with effectively.
As with most health-related issues, a diet that contains plenty of fresh produce can also help people when giving up smoking. Fruits and vegetables contain certain substances that speed up the removal of nicotine from the body and can also help to reduce cravings.
Taking plenty of exercise can also be helpful as the chemicals released during physical activity help to alleviate cravings and combat the body's dependence on nicotine.
Regardless of what initially motivated you to quit smoking, there is a method that will suit you and help you achieve your goal of a healthy, smoke-free life.
