Smoking is addictive. Cigarettes contain nicotine that is highly engaging that once your system gets used to it, it becomes tough to get your hands off the stick. Some people can even consume a pack a day. Imagine how large the amount of nicotine that is absorbed by their bodies. They may not experience the troubling and debilitating effects of smoking right now but they will surely regret not controlling themselves from puffing when their systems eventually give in and become weak in their later years.
Smoking is a really barbaric enemy to our health since it doesn't only affect one part of our body. As it usually targets the heart and the lungs, our other important systems will be endangered once the said two vital organs are damaged. Plus, it contributes to the development of hypertension and cancers.
Question is, how do you quit smoking? Of course, there are various ways on how to cease this vice as long as one is disciplined, dedicated, and motivated. Here they are.
1. Don't deny the fact that you're addicted to smoking. The very first and vital step in your aim of quitting smoking is accepting to yourself that you are addicted to such a vice. Self-awareness is the key to start motivating yourself in putting a stop to this health problem. Denial, on the contrary, will just make things worse as you would find yourself frequently smoking since you don't believe that you have a substance abuse predicament.
2. Visit your doctor or a community health center. Asking the help of a health professional will be beneficial since you will not just be physically examined but you may also have laboratory tests to ensure that your system is still on the right track. After being checked, your doctor may give you the available options to consider in your goal of smoking cessation.
Since nicotine is a substance that tells your brain to crave such even more, some treatments may include nicotine supplements that come in gum, nasal sprays, inhalers, or slow-release skin patches that may help you lessen your consumption of cigarettes. These products release nicotine into your system so that the smoker won't be tempted to puff a stick.
Another treatment approved by FDA is the anti-depressant bupropion hydrochloride (known as Zyban) that is said to reduce the urge to smoke. However, before trying all these medicinal solutions, contact your doctor first to know if these remedies fit you.
3. Gradually lessen your consumption of cigarettes. Stopping smoking all at once may cause you to have withdrawal symptoms (irritability, anger, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, increase appetite, and decreased heart rate) most especially if your system has already adapted to the nicotine flowing in your bloodstream. To avoid this, one can slowly decrease his smoking consumption such that if you usually puff 9 cigarettes a day, you can have it 8 cigarettes for next week, slowly lessening the number of sticks for the coming weeks until you have completely taken your hands off that stick.
4. Seek help from counsellors. Some people that are enchained by a certain addiction need a guide from health professionals to whom they can comfortably open up their struggles with regards to their condition. Patients will then be counselled on the problems that they raise as they take part on the solution building of their own dilemma. Some even join a group of people with same ordeal as theirs, helping them succeed more in their therapies.
5. Gain strength from family members and friends. There's nothing more encouraging and inspiring than the support your family and friends may offer you. Opening up to them about your pursuit of freeing yourself from the smoking vice will give them the initial push to be at your side in such a big endeavour. However, remember that you are your self's number one supporter and motivator. Having your relatives and buddies around you can assist you in fighting off your problem but the remedy always starts within you.
6. Journal your progress. You can scribble your plan in a notebook and put down what you did or what you would still do to carry out such plan. You can also note how you have overcome the temptation to smoke. List the situations, events, or places that typically make you accessible to the vice so that you'll know when to avoid them whenever the urge or the temptation to smoke arises.
Smoking is a really barbaric enemy to our health since it doesn't only affect one part of our body. As it usually targets the heart and the lungs, our other important systems will be endangered once the said two vital organs are damaged. Plus, it contributes to the development of hypertension and cancers.
Question is, how do you quit smoking? Of course, there are various ways on how to cease this vice as long as one is disciplined, dedicated, and motivated. Here they are.
1. Don't deny the fact that you're addicted to smoking. The very first and vital step in your aim of quitting smoking is accepting to yourself that you are addicted to such a vice. Self-awareness is the key to start motivating yourself in putting a stop to this health problem. Denial, on the contrary, will just make things worse as you would find yourself frequently smoking since you don't believe that you have a substance abuse predicament.
2. Visit your doctor or a community health center. Asking the help of a health professional will be beneficial since you will not just be physically examined but you may also have laboratory tests to ensure that your system is still on the right track. After being checked, your doctor may give you the available options to consider in your goal of smoking cessation.
Since nicotine is a substance that tells your brain to crave such even more, some treatments may include nicotine supplements that come in gum, nasal sprays, inhalers, or slow-release skin patches that may help you lessen your consumption of cigarettes. These products release nicotine into your system so that the smoker won't be tempted to puff a stick.
Another treatment approved by FDA is the anti-depressant bupropion hydrochloride (known as Zyban) that is said to reduce the urge to smoke. However, before trying all these medicinal solutions, contact your doctor first to know if these remedies fit you.
3. Gradually lessen your consumption of cigarettes. Stopping smoking all at once may cause you to have withdrawal symptoms (irritability, anger, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, increase appetite, and decreased heart rate) most especially if your system has already adapted to the nicotine flowing in your bloodstream. To avoid this, one can slowly decrease his smoking consumption such that if you usually puff 9 cigarettes a day, you can have it 8 cigarettes for next week, slowly lessening the number of sticks for the coming weeks until you have completely taken your hands off that stick.
4. Seek help from counsellors. Some people that are enchained by a certain addiction need a guide from health professionals to whom they can comfortably open up their struggles with regards to their condition. Patients will then be counselled on the problems that they raise as they take part on the solution building of their own dilemma. Some even join a group of people with same ordeal as theirs, helping them succeed more in their therapies.
5. Gain strength from family members and friends. There's nothing more encouraging and inspiring than the support your family and friends may offer you. Opening up to them about your pursuit of freeing yourself from the smoking vice will give them the initial push to be at your side in such a big endeavour. However, remember that you are your self's number one supporter and motivator. Having your relatives and buddies around you can assist you in fighting off your problem but the remedy always starts within you.
6. Journal your progress. You can scribble your plan in a notebook and put down what you did or what you would still do to carry out such plan. You can also note how you have overcome the temptation to smoke. List the situations, events, or places that typically make you accessible to the vice so that you'll know when to avoid them whenever the urge or the temptation to smoke arises.
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