There is no denying the harmful effects of smoking on health. Thousands die from smoking related illnesses every year and it has placed an enormous burden on the healthcare system. The movement to get people to quit smoking has spawned its own industry with products ranging from patches to nicotine gum.
Some smokers have tried other methods such as hypnosis to rid themselves of the habit. Whatever method you choose, quitting smoking is possible for anyone regardless of how long you’ve smoked or how many cigarettes you need every day. It takes a combination of mental focus and nicotine replacement which can help to curb nicotine cravings.
The Mental Factor
This aspect involves simple things which will help to keep you focused on your ultimate goal. For the smoker this is quitting smoking and improving your health. Here are a few tips which will give your efforts a boost:
Reward yourself: Quitting smoking can be difficult, so if you make it to a certain pre-determined point, go out to a nice dinner or have some other treat. You deserve it. Start small and make the treats more elaborate as you go along.
Accept failure or lapses: Even if you do without a cigarette for months, the craving can creep up on you at any time. A stressful day, loss of a loved one, any number of things can cause you to fall back to old habits. This does not mean that your efforts have failed. It just means you have to start over with renewed energy.
Take up other activities: Now might be a good time to concentrate on something you have always wanted to do. This can be attending a craft workshop or dance classes. The idea is to do something new that is fun and which will keep your mind off smoking.
Chew gum: Admittedly this does not work for everyone, but it might work for you. Gums or sweets can help if you have a sudden nicotine craving. Just be sure not to overdo it or you might end up with another type of addition. After all you still want to watch your sugar intake and keep your teeth healthy as well as maintain your weight.
Herbal Remedies for Quitting Smoking
1/ Avena Sativa
This herb has many uses and is known especially for its calming effect on the nerves. It is also known to help reduce nicotine cravings. In fact, Avena Sativa is the Latin name for oats.
2/ Alfalfa Like many herbs it has a positive impact on the health, but it is also useful in countering the effects of smoking has on the body.
3/ Gotu Cola
Also known as Indian Pennywort and Centella, this herb is great for relieving anxiety. Since nicotine has a similar calming effect on the body it stands to reason that using this herb could help to lessen the dependence on nicotine. It grows mostly in Hawaii and India.
Some other herbs useful in helping people beat the nicotine habit are Parrot’s beak, skullcap, Lobelia and Goldenseal.
Whatever method you choose or combinations thereof, remember that quitting smoking is not an impossible task. Be sure to seek advice from a qualified herbalist before embarking on an herbal regimen to control your cravings. It is helpful to join a support group to provide moral support in your quest for better health.
Related Posts
Hypnosis can be a great way to help you quit smoking. The important thing to know is that hypnosis cannot work unless the smoker truly wants to stop smoking; if they honestly...
Research has shown that smoking shortens life expectancy by seven to eight years. We all know smoking can cause lung cancer and also it can have a serious impact on our health....
We have enough evidence to know that smoking is unhealthy, but even with that evidence millions of people refuse to kick the habit. It may be easier to get that particular monkey...
Many people who smoke cannabis, otherwise known as marijuana or pot, become addicted to it without even realizing that they have an addiction. In fact, if a long time user of cannabis...
If anyone ever tries to convince you that you can lose weight by smoking weed, they are either boldly lying to you, or they are incredibly misinformed. Smoking weed does not cause...
Leave a Reply
May 9th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Tobacco taxes which smokers pay also pay for the health care system to a large, relative degree. Many billions per year.
Ban smoking and people would still pile into hospitals with cancers and diseases caused by general pollution from burning petrol and diesel…those thick, black pure chemical fumes which you breath, second hand, into your lungs every single day and almost constantly when you live in or near a city.
Get your heads on.