5 Unusual Ways to Quit Smoking

Ready to give up smoking? Quitting smoking is tough, but it can be done. Try one of these 5 game-changing strategies to stop smoking and start your path towards a healthier, smoke-free life.

  1. Firstly, understand WHY

Firstly, understand WHYUnderstanding your problem is the first step to a smoke-free life. People turn to cigarettes for so many different reasons, whether it’s stress, dieting, social groups or a personal problem there is always a reason. Get behind it. Once you can identify why you smoke you’ll be better prepared to avoid them in the first place.

  1. Bury it

Bury it

Yep, this is a thing. Some people bury their cigarettes in hope that they can quit for good and it seems to be pretty effective for people! Think about it. If you bury your pack outside this will mean you’ll have to dig it up later which can be pretty off-putting (especially if it’s raining).

  1. Try acupuncture!

Try acupuncture!
Image source: foundationfortheaidoflife
Acupuncture can be especially effective for smokers but more specifically the auricular method! The treatment, in general, is known for its detoxification, de-stressing and endorphin boosting benefits which can greatly help curb cravings, keep you calm and make you feel healthier all around.

The therapy involves attaching tiny medicated herbal seeds or metal studs onto specific points on the outer ear, in order for the patient to stimulate those areas every day by pressing on the balls attached to the ear. Stimulating those areas using the auricular method can maintain the effects of acupuncture treatment in between the sessions, thus helping you to control withdrawal symptoms the moment they occur.

Ear massages are also really effective at fighting cravings.

  1. Put all the money you’re saving on cigarettes in a large glass jar.

Put all the money you’re saving on cigarettes in a large glass jar.

Money is a great motivator so if you, for example, normally puff one pack per day put then put that money aside and save it instead. By the end of the month, you’ll be able to see how much you actually spend on cigarettes and hopefully by the end of it, you’ll realize how much you’re wasting. Moreover, apps like Smoke-Free! allow you to create a custom profile based on your history of smoking, and track how many cigarettes you haven’t smoked once you set an official quit date. It then uses this information to calculate how much money you’ve saved each day by not smoking.

Honestly, there’s no greater feeling than watching that money slowly creep up to the thousands, and thinking of all the good things you can be doing with that extra cash.

  1. Switch to a cup of herbal tea whenever you usually have a cigarette.

Switch to a cup of herbal tea whenever you usually have a cigarette.

The act of brewing the tea and slowing sipping it as it cools will provide the same stress relief as a hit of nicotine. Plus, green tea helps to remove toxins from the body as well.

REFERENCES
Image sources: freepik.com

https://www.livescience.com/43293-quit-smoking-tips.html
https://whyquit.com/pr/100305.html
https://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/features/unusual-ways-to-quit-smoking#1
https://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20336012,00.html#kick-back-a-baking-soda-cocktail-0
https://smokefreeapp.com/
https://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20336012,00.html
https://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/50-creative-and-crazy-ways-to-quit-smoking-once-and-for-all/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317633.php
https://www.pushdoctor.co.uk/blog/107-stop-smoking-tips

Dr. Farah Fezan

Family Physician
MBBS, PGD (HN), MS (HN), Dip (Hosp. Mng.), MCPS (FM)
Member of Pakistan Nutrition and Dietetic Society
Member of Pakistan Association of Family Physician
Family Health and Nutrition Counselor for:
Acute and chronic diseases, Nutritional deficiency, Obesity / Overweight, Eating disorders, Underweight, Anemia, Mother & Child care