Tobacco cravings can wear you down when you’re trying to Quit Smoking.
Use these tips to reduce and resist cravings:
Drink water: Research shows that dehydration causes cravings. Sip water frequently throughout the day.
Refrain from drinking coffee: Coffee causes cravings and dehydrates the body.
Get plenty of fresh fruit and vegetable juices to neutralize and clear the blood of nicotinic acid and to fortify blood sugar. Carrots, Carrot juice, celery, leafy green salads and citrus fruits promote body alkalinity and decrease cravings.
Avoid junk food and sugar. They can upset your blood sugar levels and increase blood acidity which can aggravate smoking withdrawal symptoms.
Avoid drinking alcohol: When you’re in a bar or a restaurant, try to sit next to non-smokers and try not to drink too much alcohol in order to avoid temptation.
Avoid Temptation:
Sure there will be times when you will be tempted to smoke a cigarette and the thought will torment you. But even then, there are ways to decrease the likelihood of lighting one up. Try some of the following:
- Focus your attention elsewhere, even if it’s something unusual or strange.
- Think about the things that are happening around you.
- Concentrate on something that distracts you. For example, count backwards from 100 by sevens, imagine comforting non-smoking scenes …
- Try to remember the reasons why you stopped smoking. Put them well in your mind and concentrate on them.
- Find something to occupy you so you do not have time to smoke.
Quit Smoking
Do something to reduce your stress. Take a hot bath, try exercise or read a book.
Plan each day to do something that pleases you.
REMEMBER: Do not smoke again – not even a puff!
References
- Schwartz JL. Methods of smoking cessation. Med Clin North Am. 1992 Mar;76(2):451-76.
- Newhall K, Suckow B, Spangler E, Brooke BS, Schanzer A, Tan TW, Burnette M, Edelen MO, Farber A, Goodney P; VAPOR investigators. Impact and Duration of Brief Surgeon-Delivered Smoking Cessation Advice on Attitudes Regarding Nicotine Dependence and Tobacco Harms for Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease. Ann Vasc Surg. 2017 Jan;38:113-121.
- Le Houezec J, Säwe U. Réduction de consommation tabagique et abstinence temporaire: de nouvelles approches pour l’arrêt du tabac [Smoking reduction and temporary abstinence: new approaches for smoking cessation]. J Mal Vasc. 2003 Dec;28(5):293-300.