Eliminating an addiction can be challenging to overcome if the person who has formed the habit doesn’t want to change their lifestyle. Turning to cigarettes or alcohol is a common way to deal with life stressors and these types of habits can formed at a young age, functioning as reliance for those who have a difficult time coping with feelings, stress or personal conflicts. Quitting smoking is most difficult because it takes a physical effect on the body. Those who make the decision to improve their health and find a healthier way to cope have to recognize that smoking cigarettes is only a cessation. When you learn how to cope with life stressors you can live healthy without relying on nicotine.
A Better Replacement
By replacing smoking with chewing gum, eating seeds, working out, drinking fluids or even meditating you can begin to change your body’s reliance on nicotine. It’s important for you to visualize your health and appreciate the way that it will improve when you do not expose it to toxic chemicals. As a smoker, one of your priorities is to have a cigarette in your hand; instead of gratifying the cravings that you have, make the decision to lead a healthy and active lifestyle for your mind, body and overall happiness.
Avoid Triggers
It’s important for you to avoid doing things that would lead you to smoke. If hanging out with your friends promotes the habit, it may be best to stay away from them for a short period of time until you can stop yourself from smoking altogether. Avoid doing things that would otherwise cause a lot of stress or push you to buy a pack of cigarettes. With a change of environment you can help to build a new sense of you who’s healthier and capable of living a more nourishing life.
Prepare yourself mentally
Although quitting will have some effects on the body within the first week, it is the result of how much mental strength you have. Build a state of mind that will help you get through this difficult time. When it feels tough to cope without a crutch to lean on, remind yourself that you can cling to a different activity that will make you feel much better. If you were to go for a quick jog or walk every time that the cessation worsens, you’d be reversing the damage and contributing to your health – you would have an excessive amount of energy and deal with it in a way that provides for your wellbeing instead of taking away from it.
By finding the mental strength that you need to overcome this habit, you can add years onto your life. It’s very common to relapse. Having one cigarette every once in awhile is acceptable. Trying your hardest to cut this habit out of your life altogether will show you how much strength and willpower you really have. Remember that this is for the most important foundation of your life – your health and future.
Eddie Kremanis is founder of ecVapour.com, a passionate vapist and electronic cigarette advocate in Europe. Over the years he has shared his experience by writing for many different blogs and review websites. Connect with him on Google+.
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My mother died of lung cancer. She was one of those people that actually bought into the Ronald Reagan commercials way back in the day. The commercials that said smoking was healthy, using the word of corrupt doctors being paid huge sums of money to say it was so. By the time the public was informed otherwise it was too late, she was hopelessly hooked. I consider tobacco companies to be no better than meth, crack or heroin dealers, and ironically they pay about the same pittance in taxes too. The best way to avoid the harm smoking will do is to never start smoking, period.