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We all know that cigarettes are bad for our health but that doesn’t necessarily help us to give up smoking. If you want to give up smoking cigarettes, it can be easier said than done. Here are the top five ways to quit smoking cigarettes for good.
Cold Turkey
Going cold turkey means that you just stop smoking and don’t have another cigarette. This is the best way to go if you have the willpower to do it but that can be the hardest part. It is especially difficult if you are out with friends or enjoying a beer or two. However, it can be done, and if you have the determination to succeed, you will.
TryE-Cigarettes
E-cigarettes could be a good alternative to smoking regular cigarettes as they contain less harmful chemicals and can be less addictive. You can explore sites such as E-cigarettedirect.co.uk who can easily deliver vaping products to your door and can even provide you with a starter kit to set you up. There has not been a lot of research into how effective this technique is, but if it works for you, it is worth it. The advantages are that you can still enjoy smoking with your friends or take a much-needed break at work without causing yourself as much damage.
Avoid Triggers
A great way to help you quit smoking cigarettes is to avoid your triggers. For example, if you know you are going to want to have a cigarette when you go to the pub with friends, then arrange to get together elsewhere. If you will need to smoke a cigarette after enjoying a meal in a restaurant then you could leave immediately or see if you can calm your cravings with coffee instead.
Physical Activity
Physical activity is a good way to quit smoking cigarettes. Not only will it make you feel fitter and less likely to want to smoke, but it also increases your endorphins which will make you feel better and less stressed naturally. If stress is a trigger for you, this could work well.
Relaxation Techniques
There are many relaxation techniques you could use to help you quit smoking cigarettes. Hypnotherapy works well for some people because it helps you to identify what lies beneath your addiction. However, this can be expensive. Many people find that yoga or meditation helps them to feel less likely to reach for the cigarettes as it gives them something else to do with their hands and makes them feel less stressed and less in need of a cigarette. Simple breathing exercises can also help if you are not in a location where you can practise yoga or meditation easily.
These are all tried and tested methods to help you give up smoking cigarettes. Different things work for different people though, so you may need to try more than one technique before you can quit successfully. Don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t work immediately, since you can always try again, and many people don’t quit successfully until they have made several attempts.