In the United States, cigarettes kill more than 480,000 American every year, which is why it’s no wonder that health officials constantly warn people about the negative effects of smoking. Whether you’ve just picked up the habit or have been smoking since you can remember, there’s no better time to quit like the present. If you’re looking for options on how to cut back on that nicotine habit, take a look at the following five ways you can quit smoking.
- Patches and Gum
The reason people become addicted to cigarettes is because of the nicotine. By cutting back on the amount of nicotine you give your body, you can ultimately quit smoking. For some people, using nicotine patches or gum is the best way to do this. These products allow you to still give your body the nicotine it craves, but it offers less nicotine than what you’re used to with cigarettes. Because of this, you can wean yourself away from the nicotine addiction and cut your bad habit.
- Vape Pens
For some people, ditching the cigarettes for a vape pen is a great way to quit smoking. Vape pens, also known to some as e-cigarettes, allow you to indulge in a variety of different herbs and plants, so you can cut back on smoking something unhealthy to smoking something healthy, such as lemongrass or lavender. These natural products deliver a variety of health benefits, so you can quit smoking while still looking for that high or that oral fixation that cigarettes provide.
- Therapy
Some people believe that behavioral therapy is a great way to quit smoking because they believe smoking addiction is all mental. Through behavioral therapy, professionals can work with you to help determine the reason you cling to smoking and then use other behavioral triggers to change that behavior. Some people find success with this method right away, while others need to try this method for months before seeing any success. It’s always a good idea to try it out if you’re interested.
- Medication
If you smoke and are having trouble stopping, you should consider talking to your doctor about it. There are prescription medications out there that can help you quit smoking, and your doctor will be able to provide you with the medication that could help. Be sure to discuss your wants and needs openly, and answer any questions they may have honestly. Like any medication, there is always a risk of side effects, so keep this in mind.
- Cold Turkey
For some people, quitting smoking is best done cold turkey, which means you don’t rely on any medication or therapies or treatments to cut it out of your life. Instead you simply choose to stop smoking, and then you deal with the side effects and cravings on your own. For some people, they opt to chew gum or eat suckers when craving a cigarette. Others try to indulge in new activities and hobbies. The tactics are different for everybody, so don’t get deterred if it takes you a while to find out what works best for you.
Smoking is very dangerous and delivers many negative effects to your health. Regardless of what or how often you smoke, you need to quit as soon as possible. If you’re looking to stop the bad habit, use one or more of the above-mentioned tips to find yourself on a road to a healthier you.