5 Easy Ways to Quit Smoking

Deciding to quit smoking is one of the toughest choices you can make. The chemical nicotine makes it hard since it is very addictive. 

Smoking is now one of the main causes of death. According to a study done by American Lung Association, more than480,000 deaths are registered per year. Numerous health risks arise from smoking. These health issues include cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure and many other conditions. By quitting smoking, your health begins to improve. You can notice this within the first couple of days of quitting. We have come up with ways that will make it easier to tackle smoking cessation. 

Ways to Quit Smoking.

1. Pick a Quiet Day.

Picking a day gives you enough time to prepare both mentally and physically. You should pick a date that is not too far in the future to avoid changing your mind. There are two ways you can decide to quit using this method:

• Reduce your cigarette intake gradually. In this method, you can continue smoking but make sure you reduce the number of times you smoke right up until the quit date and then stop.
• Quite suddenly. In this way, you continue smoking normally then abruptly cease to smoke on the quit date. The abrupt quit method can be hard since the body has to adapt to the changes very fast. 

Choose one that works best for you. To help you prepare for your quit day, here are some tips:

• Inform someone close to you. It could be a relative or friend.
• Sign up for a stop-smoking group earlier. 
• Discard all cigarettes.
• Buy substitutes like candy, coffee and sugarless gum.
• Keep distance from friends and family who smoke. It's easier to fall back when you’re associating yourself with smokers.

You will face the urge to smoke on your quit day, but it is up to you to handle that. You can take deep breathes, drink a lot of water or distract yourself with something else.

2. Medications.

There are non-nicotine medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration: bupropion and varenicline. These medications help smokers quit. First, you ought to visit your doctor to get a prescription. Let's look at how each one of them works.

1. Bupropion.

Bupropion comes in the form of tablets and is highly effective in the early stages of quitting smoking. Due to smoking cessation, withdrawal symptoms come along. Chemicals in the brain cause cravings. Bupropion acts on those chemicals.

2. Varenicline.

Varenicline also comes in the form of tablets. It works by blocking all the pleasant effects of nicotine that result from smoking on the brain. Just like bupropion, varenicline is also used for 12 weeks. You can request your health care provider to prescribe it for another 12 weeks to avoid the instance of relapse.

These medications have their shortcomings. They may lead to a depressed mood, hostility and aggression. It is important to keep checking in with your doctor in case you experience any of the symptoms.

3. Using NRT’s.

NRT stands for Nicotine Replacement Therapy. This method gives you nicotine- in other forms- but not other harmful chemicals in tobacco. These forms include:

• Nicotine gum.
• Nicotine nasal spray.
• Nicotine inhaler.
• Nicotine lozenge.
• Nicotine patch. 

When using these NRT's, it is easy to underestimate how powerful nicotine dependency is. Don't forget the aim is to quit smoking and not only avoid some of the chemicals in tobacco. Discuss your dose with your healthcare provider.

4. Consider Behavioral Support Groups.

Getting support from smokers who are trying to quit smoking will help you get through this trying period. You can try self-help materials, counseling services and support services. With the help of behavioral support groups, your emotional symptoms will get better over time. 

Several support institutes have come up with services like smoking helplines, smoke-free websites, and social platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Just like a support group for alcoholics- Alcoholics Anonymous, Nicotine Anonymous has proven useful too.

5. Vaping.

Vaping is considered less harmful than smoking. Vaping is alternatively referred to as using E-cigarettes heat nicotine, flavorings and other chemicals to create a smoky substance that you can inhale. A regular tobacco cigarette contains over 7000 chemicals. Most of these chemicals are toxic and can cause harm to vital organs of the body, including the lungs and heart.

The chemicals in e-cigarettes are less toxic. If you opt for vaping, a good vaping product is a must-have for you. The vaporizers come even in the form of the latest high-tech model and are affordable. 

Conclusion.

Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health. Smoking is a danger to every part of your body. It is also a harm to those around you. 

Consider the above measures and pick one that works for you. The best result of quitting smoking is an increased lifespan. Get yourself more days!