What Helped Me Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking is tough to do. These tips have not been proven to work; however, former smokers have suggested them as ways they coped with the awful nicotine cravings they experienced while quitting smoking. Test a few out to see if they help you kick the habit.
Things that may help you overcome cravings while quitting smoking:
1. When a craving hits, do a quick exercise such as:
- Yoga poses
- Intense stretching
- Running in place
- Crunches
- Push-ups
- Jumping Jacks
2. While quitting, abstain from caffeinated or alcoholic beverages if they make you crave cigarettes.
3. Secure an accountability partner to vent to when frustrated. Try to find someone who is readily accessible day or night to give you praise and pep talks.
4. Consider trying electronic cigarettes or nicotine gums to help you wean yourself off smoking.
5. Talk to your medical provider about the risks and benefits of taking Chantix to quit smoking.
6. Drink cold water or chew on ice chips.
7. Some foods might help you overcome nicotine cravings by distracting you. Former smokers suggested:
- Foods with strong, distinctive tastes
- Suck on cinnamon sticks
- Big Red gum (strong cinnamon flavoring)
- Stuffed olives
- Hard cheeses
- Dark chocolate
- Chocolate covered expresso beans
- Citrus fruits
- Salty foods (caviar, pretzels)
- Sweet and salty combinations (chocolate covered potato chips)
- Mints
- Foods that require work to consume (dipping, peeling or shelling)
- Fruits
- Nuts
- Cookies and milk
- Crackers and dips
- Chewy candy
- Twizzlers
Gum What are some tips you can share that will help smokers kick the habit?
