Smoking and tobacco chewing are easy habits to start and difficult to quit. Thousands of people try to kick the habit each year. There is no cookie cutter solution to quitting tobacco, but these five Mayo Clinic approved methods can help you overcome the cravings when they strike.
1. Exercise
Thirty minutes of moderate physical activity can alleviate a tobacco craving. Stretch, go for a walk, run in place or do any exercise of your choice to keep you up and moving for 30 minutes to help combat the craving.
2. Find Support
When you’re trucking and its just you on the road, it can be difficult to find a support system to help you quit tobacco. Reach out to family members and coworkers who may be going through the same thing, and make a schedule to stay in touch and update them on your progress. You can also join an online stop-smoking program or read a tobacco quitter’s blog.
3. Consider Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Consult with your physician to see if there’s a nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) that may work for you. There are prescription nicotine nasal sprays and nicotine inhalers, as well as several medication options to help you.
4. Address Your Stress
Tobacco and stress have become synonymous, but no matter how much you think a quick cigarette puff will calm your worked nerves, it isn’t worth the health repercussions. Resisting tobacco cravings can itself be incredibly stressful. When you’re tempted to smoke away your success, consider instead deep-breathing exercises, relaxing stretches, visualization and massage.
5. Avoid Triggers
Your cravings will be the strongest in situations where you have typically smoked most often. Take time to identify your personal triggers and create a plan to help you avoid them or get through them without using tobacco. Do you typically smoke while taking a break at a rest area? Trade out your pack of cigarettes for a pack of your favorite sugar-free gum, and chew on a piece until the craving or trigger fades.
