Help Quitting Smoking

Looking for the easiest way to quit smoking?
( 3 Aug 2007)

Smoking is an addiction that can be very difficult to get rid of. Yet, it is in fact possible for even habitual or chain smokers to give up smoking completely if they are determined to do so. Almost invariably, those who try giving up smoking experience what are popularly known as “withdrawal symptoms” in the first few weeks or even months.

These symptoms can be both physical and emotional, like headache, loss of appetite, restless sleep, lack of concentration, sudden mood swings, depression and anxiety. You must understand that the difficulty arises not only from the physical addiction to nicotine but also the psychological association of smoking with certain habits that often accompany it. For instance, if you are habituated to smoking after every meal, or while drinking alcohol, or while trying to concentrate on some work, chances are that you would feel an urge to smoke whenever you engage in any of these activities.

The best way to deal with such situations is to divert your attention with healthy, alternative exercises, like walking, listening to music, or simply practicing meditation. It is also advisable that you stick to a fixed plan about the rate at which you decrease the consumption of cigarettes. Certain kinds of foods help get over the feeling of uneasiness that occur when you stop smoking suddenly. Raw vegetables and fruits, consumed in the form of salads and juices, are known to flush out toxins from the body and help suppress the craving for nicotine. You may also sip a small cup of peppermint tea every time you feel like smoking. Consuming a tablespoon of honey twice every day also helps you resist the temptation to smoke. You should also consume a cup of grape seed extract on an empty stomach every morning. Alternatively, drink a glass of orange juice at breakfast and during dinner every day to rejuvenate the damaged tissue of your lungs and to get rid of the urge to smoke naturally. This is an effective natural means of repairing the damage done to your lungs by cigarette smoke, and helps you get rid of the habit. Another remedy is to simply chew a licorice stick whenever you feel like smoking. This acts as a harmless substitute for cigarettes. For another remedy, mix a tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink this solution during every meal. This will gradually repress the impulse to smoke.

answered by G M on 21 Apr 2010, 11:53:22

It is understandable that to quit smoking is not an easy task. Most people who are addicted to tobacco find it hard to kick the habit. However, all said and done, it is not impossible to get rid of the habit and there are countless examples of people who have overcome the addiction. Counseling, medicines, and various support systems can help any die-hard smoker to kick the habit, but the sincere desire must come from within!

If you have attempted to quit smoking in the past but have been unable to do so, do not despair. Every time you put in the effort, you come closer to achieving your goal of quitting for good. Pick a day for quitting smoking and honestly speaking, there is no other time than now to quit the habit.

If you wish to plan in advance, choose a date in the next one week to quit. There is nothing like an "ideal" or "perfect" day to quit. Skim through the calendar and choose a specific date to work around. Make a note of the reasons you would like to quit: for health, for family members or near and dear ones, for improving your financial prospects or a variety of others. Another way to keep yourself busy is to make a list of hobbies you can indulge in instead of smoking- fishing, swimming, traveling, cooking – anything to keep your mind away from smoking. Get your friends, family, and colleagues to support you around this time and disclose your plans of quitting the habit; that way you feel encouraged by their backing to get rid of smoking.

Begin by putting an end to your habits of smoking in the house or in the car. That is the first step towards making the house and the car free of smoke, so no one is allowed to smoke inside. You can also learn how to cope with the various nicotine withdrawal symptoms, as a precautionary measure.

Joining a support group is one of the best and proven ways of quitting smoking. Scientific evidence reveals that smokers in support groups have a higher percentage of ridding the habit for good. Individual counseling is another proven technique to help people quit the habit. If the withdrawal symptoms are too much to bear, adopt a nicotine replacement therapy in the form of a nicotine patch, gum, lozenge or inhaler. This can help to substitute the nicotine derived from cigarettes and makes nicotine withdrawal easier to control. Remember, even if you slip up, don’t give up. Keep trying until you have quit the habit for good.

Quitting in a spontaneous manner or going “cold turkey” is also known to work for some people. Perhaps a strong motivating reason behind it works wonders if you plan to quit “cold turkey”.

answered by G M on 27 Apr 2009, 12:34:07

my friend used "Chantix (varenicline) tablets. She said it was easiest thing she has ever done. It is a rx.

answered by n on 3 Aug 2007, 11:20:31

For nicotine, tar and other toxic compounds already deposited in the dhatus: take three tablets or one tablespoon of triphala every night, before bedtime.

answered by Dr S P on 3 Aug 2007, 7:17:44

Help Quitting Smoking

Looking for the easiest way to quit smoking? ( 3 Aug 2007)

Looking for the easiest way to quit smoking?
( 3 Aug 2007)