How to Stop Smoking for Good in 2021
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do if you’re looking to get your health in order this year. However, without the right guidance and advice, it can be a challenging thing to do. Fortunately, there are a number of helpful tips and strategies that you can use to help you kick the habit for good.
In this post, we will offer several helpful suggestions that will make it easier to break your nicotine addiction. Keep reading for our top tips and ideas for quitting smoking in 2021.
Set a quit date — and stick to it
How many times in your smoking career have you said that you would quit today, tomorrow, or next week — only to put it off for good? It’s a common occurrence with smokers, with 3 out of 10 smokers reporting that they tried to quit but were not successful.
However, you shouldn’t beat yourself up if you aren’t able to quit on your first, second, or even tenth try. In reality, it shows that you are genuinely interested in getting rid of your habit. You can use that emotion and eagerness to your advantage and propel yourself into quitting for good.
To prevent another failed quitting attempt, it’s crucial that you set a realistic quit date for yourself and then stick to it. If you aren’t ready to stop tomorrow, that’s fine. The goal is to find a date that you are confident about and then commit to it.
When you have a concrete deadline in mind, it will give you time to adjust to the thought of living a smoke-free life. You’ll be able to slowly get comfortable with the idea of quitting, rather than thrusting yourself into it abruptly. Plus, you are more likely to hold yourself accountable if you have a measurable goal to achieve.
Avoid smoking triggers when possible
When you’re in the early stages of overcoming addiction, it’s essential to avoid the triggers that would ordinarily cause you to pick up your old habit. Maybe you’re used to lighting up at your local pub or with a colleague during smoke breaks at work. Unfortunately, going back to those well-known routines can trigger you to take up smoking again.
Of course, it won’t be possible to avoid some triggering situations entirely. But the point is to put yourself in as few of these events as possible, in order to improve your chances of quitting for good.
Make a list of the benefits
When you’re battling against cravings, it can be extremely difficult to remember why you even wanted to quit in the first place. It will probably be tempting to give up on your goal, but remembering why you’re trying to quit could help you push through the nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
Perhaps you want to live long enough to play with your grandkids. Or maybe you want to improve the health of your lungs to run a kilometre without stopping. Either way, it can help to make a list of all the reasons that you’re quitting and all of the great things you have to look forward to when you’ve kicked the habit for good.
Combat cravings with a healthy replacement habit
There’s no getting around it: quitting smoking can be extremely challenging. As a result, you might be enticed to reward yourself with small treats to get yourself through the cravings and withdrawals. There’s nothing wrong with this system, but you should be mindful to treat yourself in a healthy way.
Some ex-smokers use sugary foods, alcohol, or gambling to relieve the stress of quitting. While it might provide some relief or distraction in the moment, this type of habit replacement is really just swapping out one negative addiction for another.
Instead, you should aim to incorporate healthy habits into your life to replace tobacco. When you feel like you need a cigarette, take a deep breath. Focus your energy into a positive activity like meditation, yoga, or a quick walk around your neighbourhood. You can also try cooking a healthy snack or popping a mint or piece of gum to curb the cravings.
Reach out for help
Many people find it easier to quit when they have the support of friends, family, and colleagues. Your loved ones can talk you through the difficult times and join you for healthy activities to distract from your cravings. Also, if you’ve told your friends and family about your desire to quit, you might feel more accountable to make it happen.
In addition to receiving support from your friends and family, you can also reach out to a medical professional for additional help. Your doctor can talk to you about potential treatment options, which may include oral strips, nicotine patches, or chewing gum, in combination with behaviour modification. Your specific treatment plan will depend on a number of factors, which your doctor will discuss with you.
But if you’re hesitant about visiting your regular GP for help to quit smoking, you have other options. With an online medical clinic like Men’s Health Direct, you can schedule an appointment that’s convenient for you and chat with a doctor from the comfort of your home or office. It creates a comfortable and relaxed environment for you to share your health concerns and goals with a medical professional who is there to help.
At Men’s Health Direct, our team of licenced Australian doctors specialise in the treatment of men’s health conditions, including quitting smoking, premature ejaculation, and erectile dysfunction. When you schedule an appointment with Men’s Health Direct, you can rest assured knowing that everything you say will be kept confidential. Our friendly physicians will work with you to create a tailored treatment plan that takes into account your health goals, preferences, and medical history.
Are you interested in learning how Men’s Health Direct can help you create a customised plan to stop smoking for good? Reach out to our team today on 1800 200 500 or submitting a contact form on our website.
