A lot of people find it challenging to quit smoking. Tobacco cravings or urges can sometimes be overpowering. Although very intense, these cravings usually pass within several minutes. There have been many health concerns involving smoking. These include pneumonia, asthma, lung cancer, heart disease, and a lot more. Quitting smoking can lengthen your life expectancy. There are many ways to resist tobacco cravings or urges.
Distract yourself
When you feel like you are about to give in to your tobacco cravings, do something else. Distract yourself for a few minutes. Try to walk around or take a stroll in a smoke-free zone. Be in the company of non-smokers to avoid giving in to your cravings or urges.
Get something to chew on
Chewing on sugarless gum or some hard candy can help resist tobacco cravings or urges. You can also try munching on raw carrots, celery, nuts, or even sunflower seeds. As long as it is something crunchy and satisfying, it will do.
Avoid triggers
There are certain situations where you smoke more often. These include going to parties and bars, feeling stressed, or even sipping coffee. Try to avoid these trigger situations if you can. If not, try to get through them without involving tobacco. Give yourself something to do to keep your mind off of your tobacco cravings.
Nicotine replacement therapies
One option is prescription nicotine. You can get this in an inhaler or a nasal spray. There are also nicotine patches, lozenges, and gum available over-the-counter. Prescription non-nicotine medications, such as varenicline, is another option. Short-acting nicotine replacement therapies are safe to use and can help you overcome intense tobacco cravings or urges. You can also combine them with long-acting nicotine patches or non-nicotine medications.
Electronic cigarettes or vapes are becoming a trend nowadays. A lot of people consider vapes as a great alternative to traditional cigarettes. Depending on your preference, vapes may or may not contain nicotine. There are e-liquids or e-juices without nicotine content. You can control your nicotine intake since these e-liquids or e-juices are available in various nicotine dosages. Plenty of people claim that vapes are an effective way of smoking cessation. You can visit the Green Caviar Club for more information about vapes.
Resisting tobacco cravings or urges will let you feel better and get healthier. You can even save a lot of money. Stopping smoking will also spare your loved ones from secondhand smoke. Each time you resist a tobacco craving or urge is an excellent step already.