Suppose you’re a smoker who is set on stopping smoking; way to go! It’ll no doubt require effort, but it’s nothing you can’t handle.
Part of your recovery program should be coming up with a list of things you can do when you feel like smoking.
With the proper habits in place, you’ll kick smoking to the curb in no time.
1. Focus on the Benefits of Not Smoking
You likely know the long-term side-effects of smoking. The most common side-effect is lung cancer.
Besides the potential of experiencing cancer, there are other health repercussions. For example, smoking can lead to arthritis and certain eye diseases, to name a few.
You don’t want to experience cancer and other health issues. Knowing this should incentivize you not to smoke.
Besides negative health consequences for you, it can also affect those you love. For example, if you smoke around another family member, you expose them to second-hand smoke.
Focusing on the benefits of not smoking is one sure way to stay away from grabbing a cigarette.
2. Get Outdoors and Enjoy Nature
Getting outdoors invigorates your senses. Plus, it takes your mind off doing things you shouldn’t like smoking.
Being out in nature also puts things into perspective. It’s a great time to take in the sights around you and do some medication, too, if you’d like.
So, grab some hiking boots and find a hike you haven’t been on before. If you’re not much of a hiker, you can also go on a walk outdoors.
Getting outside can improve your mental health and help you get more physically fit, as well. And we all know that the healthier your body is, the better!
3. Call a Friend
Do you have a friend who used to be a smoker and quit? Then, the next time you feel like smoking, give them a call! They can get you a motivational talk about how you can resist temptation.
Or, at the very least, they can distract you by telling you a hilarious story of how they tripped and fell the other day.
Friends who haven’t smoked can be a great help as well. They may have gone through other struggles like dealing with alcoholism. So, they can relate to your experience of learning how to say no to something that’s unhealthy for you.
Some friends may not have gone through what you’re going through. But that doesn’t mean they can’t lend a listening ear!
No matter what a friend has gone through, having a friend who has your back is what counts. Rely on the people that mean the most to you to uplift you when you’re struggling.
4. Start a New Hobby
Starting a new hobby is an excellent way to take your mind off smoking. Try something you’ve done before, like rollerblading.
Or, you can start working on puzzles to take your mind off smoking. Even if starting a new hobby doesn’t seem that appealing to you, give it a shot.
For example, you might begin to rollerblade around the neighborhood. Then, you find you enjoy the activity. Soon enough, you’ll start inviting friends to ride around the neighborhood with you!
5. Use Cannabis
You don’t have to smoke cannabis to take advantage of its many benefits. Believe it or not, one of the many benefits of using cannabis is that it prevents you from smoking!
Marijuana can reduce your cravings for smoking. It does this by calming you down and helping you to relax.
If you care to use cannabis without smoking it, there are various options. A few are vaping, using oils, and eating edibles. Try a few different methods to see which ones you prefer.
Also, you can also use CBD oil if you prefer not to use marijuana with THC.
Conclusion
The next time you feel like smoking, think of what you can do instead of reverting to your old ways. The more you take action not to smoke, the easier it will become.
If you relapse and smoke a few times, don’t beat yourself up. Not every road to progress is a straight line.
What matters is that you have an arsenal of techniques that can help you stay on the right path. So, don’t second-guess yourself. You’ve got this!
