How to Cope With the Craving for Smoking

The main difficulty for those who are trying to quit smoking is to manage their craving for smoking. So, if you keep in mind all the factors that can provoke your desire to smoke, you will be able to successfully prevent any slips. Every time you reach for a lighter, just remember that the craving you experience at the moment is short-lived and you can wait it out. Having a clear plan on how to fight the smoking craving will help you in the process of smoking cessation and refraining from smoking.

·         Distract yourself. When you feel you need to have a smoke and cannot resist it, just remember that craving usually last for about 10 minutes. So, instead, wash dishes, watch TV, take a shower, or call your friend. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as it distracts you from thinking about smoking.

·         Stay away from the triggers. Identify situations and factors (people or places) that promote your craving for smoking and try to avoid them. Don’t go to the places where you might want to smoke. Some of the most common triggers include:

o   seeing someone else smoke;

o   feeling lonely or depressed;

o   drinking coffee or alcohol;

o   talking on the phone or watching TV;

o   going to a bar.

·         Reward yourself. Each time you win over your craving to smoke, give yourself a pat on the back. Motivation is the best way to success.

·         Keep your mouth busy. Always keep at hand something that could replace a cigarette like fruit drops, chewing gum, nuts or sunflower seeds, celery, carrot, etc.

·         Stay active. Exercise and moderate physical activity can help you keep away from cigarettes and manage smoking craving. Just 30 minutes of physical activity can do the job – go for a walk, jog, walk up and down the stairs or do squats, pushups, deep knee bends, etc. 

·         Use stop-smoking medicines. Online drugs like Champix or nicotine replacement medications can double your chances of giving up smoking compared to willpower alone. It’s due to the fact that untreated cravings often lead to lapses.

·         Have a glass of water. Slowly drink a glass of cold water. Doctors say that drinking water seems to have a calming effect and relieve the craving. Besides, it’ll keep you hydrated and reduce the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.

·         Try to relax. For many people smoking can be a way to cope with stress, but resisting the craving for tobacco can be very stressful as well. So, to manage the craving try relaxation techniques like deep breathing, yoga, massage, meditation, or take a hot bath.