Smoking is an addiction and a hard habit to break, which is why you should learn some of the things you must know before you quit smoking. I understand how hard it is to quit smoking, and the fears and worries associated with it. So, let's take this journey to quit together. Here are some things you must know before you quit smoking.
You should begin your efforts by having a complete check-up with chest x-ray. Cigarette smoke is known to cause a multitude of cancers. Lung cancer is the most common. A chest x-ray determines the severity of the damage caused by years of smoking, and it is your first step to preventing cancer, if possible. Your doctor can prescribe medications to assist you in your efforts to quit. Any indication of cancer in other areas of your body should also be examined—don't risk it!
Most doctors advise their patients to begin an exercise plan prior to quitting. The primary reason for this is that exercise releases endorphins. It also releases dopamine, which is released when you smoke. Quitting will cause you to acquire a large volume of nervous energy, which you can use up during exercise. Your chosen plan can also assist you in maintaining your weight, as it is possible that you'll begin to gain weight immediately after you quit.
Healthy foods are essential to maintaining good habits. A majority of smokers turn to sugary treats to cope with the loss of nicotine. This will not help you quit smoking. In fact, it could lead to depression. A balanced diet of proteins, fruits, and vegetables are ideal when you choose to lay off the tobacco.
When you stop smoking, there's a high probability that you'll become frustrated easily. Smokers are used to placing their hand to their lips as they smoke. This habit lingers after you stop. It's best to find activities that allow you to keep your hands busy to ease this frustration.
It's almost impossible for a smoker to quit if their friends and family continue to smoke around them. Most products used to aid smokers in their efforts to quit are designed to make them sick when they come into contact with cigarette smoke. In fact, smokers who use nicotine patches face an immediate health risk by inhaling even second-hand smoke while wearing the patch. It's best if you discuss the probability of a smoke-free zone. This will help you quit and prevent adverse reactions.
A dear friend of mine has battled breast cancer and won. Her doctor told her of the benefits of grape seed extract. Among its benefits are its ability to combat cancer cells on a smaller scale. It's not a guaranteed option to prevent cancer overall, but it's always best to stack the odds in your favor. Plus it's healthy and good for you.
Most smokers trade addictions when they make an effort to quit. As I stated earlier, sugary snacks are a prime target, and they give an immediate jolt of energy. The problem here is that it won't replace the effects achieved by smoking, and it won't stop your cravings. It will, however, make you unhealthy as you'll eat larger quantities in an attempt to cope. Try healthy snacks like fruits or celery. Even sugar-free breath mints help. If you must trade one addiction for another, you should choose a healthy one.
At any time that you have an adverse reaction to a quit-smoking aid or prescription associated with this cause, contact your doctor immediately. You should schedule appointments any time that you become sick over the course of this journey. As I said before, smoking is an addiction and you should treat it as such. You will experience withdrawal symptoms, and they can become hazardous to your health.
You know how everyone tells you that after you quit, food tastes better? It's true. The elimination of cigarette smoke improves your sense of taste and smell. You'll experience a heightened awareness within the first couple of weeks of this change. This within itself is reason enough to want to quit.
To quit smoking for some is like suffering through phantom limb syndrome. It feels like you lost something that you should have attached to you, even though you really don't need it at all. What are some methods you have tried to assist you quit smoking?