If you find yourself reaching for a cig every time you need to feel more relaxed or calm, then you’re probably all too aware of the stress that comes with trying to give up smoking. Many habits are developed as a way to reduce anxiety- and consequently, these habits are hard to break.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused all of us to take a good look at our health, and like many others, you’ve probably had the urge to give up smoking. But training your body to no longer depend on cigarettes requires a lot of willpower, and it’s natural to feel some stress around the idea.
If the idea of quitting smoking sends you into an anxious spiral, then here are some tips for making the process of becoming a non-smoker as stress-free as possible.
- Maintain A ‘Can-Do’ Attitude
It’s easy to feel demotivated when you’re thinking about quitting smoking. Whether you’re battling through strong cravings, or ruminating about all of the times that you’ve tried to quit in the past and it hasn’t worked, the most important thing is that you keep a positive mindset.
It’s okay to be realistic about how hard your current situation is, but try not to dwell on your negative emotions. Just because quitting hasn’t worked out for you in the past, doesn’t mean that it won’t work out this time.
- Make Specific Plans
Just like if you were planning to start eating a healthier diet, it pays to be as prepared as possible for when you quit smoking. There are going to be moments where your cravings are really strong- and you’ll need to have a solid plan in place for any distraction techniques you’ll use to stop yourself from reaching for a cigarette.
- Distract Yourself
When the urge to smoke hits, make sure you have some fail-safe distractions in place. Try to keep your hands and mouth busy throughout the day. Many people find that holding something in their smoking hand, chewing gum or calling a friend can help to curb those cravings and lower feelings of anxiety.
Switching to a vape can help you take a stress-free approach to quitting smoking. If you’re planning on making the switch, then make sure you have purchased your vape and any liquids or parts before you quit smoking. While most in-store vape shops aren’t open during this lockdown, you can head to an online shops like Aqua Vape for all of your vaping needs. They stock a range of devices, liquids and kits, and even offer a subscription plan, so you’re guaranteed to find what you’re looking for.
- Move Your Body
As cliché as it sounds, exercise is a great way to handle stress, since moving your body produces the feel-good brain chemicals that counteract feelings of anxiety. Not only will you feel better in your mind, but exercise will also cause you to feel good about your body, so in turn you’ll feel more motivated to stay away from the cigarettes.
