Tobacco use contributes to one-third of all cancer cases, including lung cancer. In addition to cancer, tobacco use causes heart disease, stroke, and lung disease. If you’re determined to quit smoking, you can try a nicotine replacement product. These products come in various forms, such as patches, gum, and lozenges, and require a prescription from your doctor. Learn more about these medications. They can help you quit smoking for good.
Relaxation
To help you relax when quitting smoking, you might want to take a walk. Getting some fresh air can help relieve stress and edginess, while a quick walk can improve circulation. Exercise releases feel-good hormones known as endorphins, which can help you resist nicotine cravings. In addition, smoking cessation can be stressful, so creating a place where you can relax before you go to sleep will help you cope with withdrawal symptoms.
A 37-year-old male therapist conducted the therapy sessions. The sessions were recorded in script form. The psycho-educational part of the sessions included information on the benefits of quitting smoking, and the actual intervention was conducted with soft background music and dimmed lights. The therapist used guided imagery and a soothing tone of voice to induce hypnosis. In addition to relaxing the body, the participants were invited to travel through their bodies and imagine themselves as non-smokers.
Deep breathing
Practicing controlled deep breathing is a powerful way to quit smoking. It lowers the likelihood of relapse by elevating the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and calmness. This method is not a substitute for cold turkey, which may also be an effective smoking cessation method. Nicotine-containing OTC products and prescription drugs such as Chantix ™ are available for smokers.
People with underlying lung conditions may find it difficult to practice deep breathing. But they can still try it, provided they have no breathing problems.
For starters, place one hand on your chest and one on your belly, and breathe deeply through your nose and mouth. Be sure to let your mouth empty completely before resuming your breathing exercise. Once you’ve mastered this technique, try it out on a friend or family member to ensure the best results.
Hypnosis
While hypnosis has been around for centuries, it wasn’t until recently that it was used in a clinical context to help smokers quit. The first known hypnotist, Franz Mesmer, believed that all living things were governed by a supernatural force. Putting people into trance-like states would help them to experience this force. James Braid was inspired by Mesmer and helped develop modern hypnotism.
If you want to try hypnosis for quitting smoking, you’ll want to make sure that your therapist is a certified professional. The American Society for Clinical Hypnosis recommends choosing a licensed professional who has undergone specialized training in the field. It is also a good idea to seek recommendations from people who’ve successfully quit smoking themselves. Hypnosis is a very safe way to quit smoking.
Acupuncture
Many people make New Year’s resolutions to quit smoking. But most fail to achieve this goal. Acupuncture may help with withdrawal symptoms and cravings, making quitting easier and less painful. Although there’s no “quick fix” for addiction, acupuncture has proven to be effective for a number of people, including smokers. Here’s a case study of a former smoker who found acupuncture useful for quitting smoking.
Nicotine addiction is complex and involves a combination of physiological and psychological factors. Because of this, it can be difficult to quit smoking. However, acupuncture and herbs use natural approaches to address the root cause of addiction, and work on the whole person. Quitting smoking with acupuncture is a highly effective and safe way to stop smoking. But how does acupuncture work? First, it helps to understand how the body works. Acupuncture has long been used to help people with health problems, including headaches and nausea.
Nicotine replacement therapy
One way to stop smoking is with nicotine replacement therapy. This therapy supplies small doses of nicotine without exposing smokers to harmful chemicals.
It has been proven effective for many people because it lessens the physical cravings and withdrawal symptoms that can be common with quitting smoking. Additionally, the products help to reduce the mental addiction that is a major barrier to quitting. Doctors often recommend nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation as it is safe and effective.
The study included 131 trials, including 133 comparisons. There were two trials with higher rates than the placebo. One trial included a subgroup of smokers in its comparison to two placebo controls. A subgroup analysis found that all six types of nicotine replacement therapy had an increased rate of cessation. However, this increase was not statistically significant when only the number of severe adverse cardiac events (myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiovascular death) was taken into account. However, the study’s sensitivity analysis showed that a significant difference between the two groups was also seen in lower level events. The study found that the increased risks of cardiovascular events were primarily associated with tachycardia and arrhythmia. However, the only clinically significant adverse event was chest pains.
Motivational therapies
Some psychologists are beginning to recognize the benefits of motivational therapies for smokers. One of these therapies, called distress-tolerance treatment, is specifically designed for hard-core smokers who cannot tolerate an hour without a cigarette. According to Richard A. Brown, a professor of psychology at Brown University and director of addictions research at Butler Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, smokers often reach for a cigarette when life turns out badly. The stress and anxiety that accompany smoking reduce motivation.
Another type of therapy aimed at helping smokers quit is called acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). It relies on the belief that some people intentionally try to avoid unpleasant emotions. Patients engage in a series of exercises to learn to cope with these feelings and avoid smoking. Throughout the therapy, the patient focuses on their own personal values and motivations for quitting, as well as their commitment to quit smoking. It’s possible that an ACT therapy may be right for you.
