What better day to flick away your smoking habit than today? Thursday is the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout, a nationwide event to encourage smokers to use this day to quit.
We all know that smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, and has serious health risks like diabetes, arthritis, and damages just about every organ in our bodies. Even though smokers know the risk, 18 percent of adults in the U.S. puff away.
Just as cigarette brand preference varies among smokers, the methods of quitting that are effective vary as well. Some people are able to quit cold turkey, while others cut back slowly.
To make the process easier, we are hacking your health and giving you the guide to help you quit smoking today.
1. Say You Quit Publicly
The most important step is saying that you quit and really mean it. Understand the reasons why you are quitting, because knowing that it is bad for your health is not enough to keep you from picking the habit back up. Choose a reason and remind yourself of it every day. Or better yet, write down the list of reasons and look at the list as a daily reminder.
Telling others you quit will help you keep yourself accountable for sticking to your word. The more people you tell, the less chance a friend will ask you to join them lighting up. So go on and update your status announcing that you are officially smoke-free.
2. Figure Out if You Want to Try Going Cold Turkey
Quitting smoking is so hard because of a smoker's addiction to nicotine. Smokers become dependent both mentally and physically on the nicotine, which makes fighting cravings a battle of both the body and mind. Some people are successful with quitting cold turkey, meaning all at once, but others may want to start slowly. Cut back to weave yourself off nicotine or consult with your doctor to find medication to help control cravings.
Once you quit, fight the urge to pick up a pack or bum one from a friend, by replacing the bad habit with a good habit. Try exercising, which will boost endorphins to make you feel good and help repair your lungs.
3. Avoid Certain Places and Things
Now that you killed your bad vice, it's time to get rid of the evidence. Throw away your beloved ashtrays and spice up your normal routine to avoid revisiting old memories. If you enjoyed an early morning cigarette with your coffee, try going for a run to start your day while your coffee brews.
Avoid going to places where smokers hang out, like the parking lot behind your office or that smokers corner that's on your way to class. If you were a social smoker, make sure to be careful around alcohol or other triggers. Instead, carry gum with you at all times.
4. Try Yoga or Meditation
In times of stress, smokers feel like a cigarette is the only antidote to keep them from exploding. Now that you quit, you will have to find ways to manage stress. Try yoga or treat yourself with regular massages with all the money you are saving from buying packs. Do what ever you need to to in the first weeks to remain stress-free. Just woosa!
5. Keep Quitting
Relapse is common among smokers. So when one method doesn't work, try another. Remember why you wanted to quit and get right back at it. Use the relapse as an opportunity to refocus on healthy goals. Set another date or look into alternative qutting methods. Your doctor may recommend prescription medication to curb cravings, or you may want to give the patch or nicotine gum a try.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the historic Surgeon General's report that declared smoking should be avoided because it cause lung cancer. There is no better time than now to regain control of your health and kick the bad habit to the curb for the final time. It never felt so good to be a quitter.
[Photo Credit: Sibel/Flickr]
