woman deciding to quit smoking

5 Tips for Smoking Cessation

Approximately one in every five deaths each year are related to smoking. In fact, smoking cigarettes can decrease a person’s expected life span by a full decade. With statistics like this, it’s no wonder many people want to quit smoking.

However, smoking cessation is rarely–if ever–as simple as reading a scary statistic and setting down the cigarettes for life. Instead, truly quitting takes effort and support. Smoking cessation programs in Florida can help you on your journey to being smoke-free. Used alongside smart tips, these programs can help you break free from tobacco once and for all.

1) Remember “Why” You Want to Quit Smoking

Every former-smoker has a reason they stopped. For some, the birth of a child or grand child made them want to live much longer. For others, the expense of cigarettes simply stopped being worth it. Some still wanted to be free from the chains of smoking.

Whatever the reason, you too have a “why.” Think deeply about why you want to quit forever. Consider what your life will be like without the urge to smoke. Whenever quitting feels like too large a burden to bear, remember your why. A strong reason may pull you through some of the most difficult moments on your path to quitting.

2) Know What to Expect During Withdrawals

There’s no use in sugar-coating the truth; smoking cessation can be hard. Rather than look the other way and hope it’s easier than it sounds, it’s best to face withdrawal symptoms head-on. When you know what to expect when you go through withdrawal, you can devise strategies for dealing with these symptoms.

Common symptoms of quitting smoking include:

  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Feeling easily irritated
  • Bigger appetites
  • Mood swings
  • Trouble falling or staying asleep
  • Frequent headaches

You may experience just a few of these symptoms or all of them. Preparing for them all will give you a good chance to have the coping skills necessary to quit.

3) Use Healthy Habits to Minimize Withdrawal Symptoms

While the effects of smoking cessation can be difficult, there are ways to curb these symptoms. Creating healthy habits can keep your body feeling better as you work through withdrawals. Try the following activities:

  • Eat plenty of healthy food to keep your body energized
  • Drink lots of water to help flush toxins out
  • Get exercise, which can improve your mood and diminish the urge to smoke
  • Get plenty of sleep

If you have trouble falling or staying asleep, talk to your doctor. You may need medication or supplements to help you get enough sleep, which can curb your tobacco cravings. Furthermore, you should avoid letting your blood sugar drop too low. If you skip meals or get too hungry, you may find that your tobacco cravings grow stronger.

4) Make an Emergency Kit

Depending on your needs, you may use smoking cessation devices like hard candy or the patch to quit smoking. No matter what you choose, make sure you have some spare items with you at all times. You don’t want to be caught away from home, with a craving, and without anything to help you through it.

5) Stick with Counseling

Quitting smoking is a physical and emotional challenge. While the tips above can help you with many of the physical obstacles, you may still run into some emotions that are difficult. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for smoking cessation can help.

CBT is so effective that recent studies found it made people up to 80% more likely to quit than trying without counseling. If you’re looking for a smoking cessation program in Florida, contact one of our therapy clinics today. We can customize a treatment program for you.