Quitting Smoking Guide

Smoking is a serious nicotine addiction which can be very difficult to stop. The addictiveness of nicotine has been compared to that of heroin or cocaine. In fact, recent research has found that a smoking habit increases overall anxiety despite the fact that many smoke to allegedly release stress.

Just 12 hours after stopping smoking, the human body ejects carbon monoxide from cigarettes. Stopping smoking for a fortnight will regulate circulation and breathing; and stopping for a year halves the chance of heart disease previously poised. Smoking significantly increases the chances of many cancers including lung, mouth & throat as well as increasing the risk of heart disease. If you’re a female smoker taking the contraceptive pill, your risk of stroke is also increased. Health concerns are the number one reason most people try to stop smoking and bearing these facts in mind can be useful for some in their venture to quit.

One must take into account triggers, will power and the extent of withdrawal symptoms upon attempting to quit. A smoker will usually begin to feel the full wrath of nicotine withdrawal about 3 days after their last cigarette; effects can include sleep disturbances, agitation and constipation amongst many others. There are many products on the market to aid the quitting process, but the most important factor is determination.

Some opt for nicotine inhalers, hypnotherapy and others substitute electronic cigarettes to try and ditch the habit. There are many products out there to be explored until a person feels confident enough to call themselves an ex-smoker. We offer a few medications which ease the effects of withdrawal by stimulating nicotine receptors in the same way as cigarettes would. These products are called ‘Zyban’ and ‘Champix’.

Incorporating exercise into your quitting regime is another way of weaning yourself off tobacco, as it increases your fitness, releases stress and gives you something other than smoking to concentrate on. How you plan on effectively managing your stress and smoking triggers are also very important factors to consider. Some turn to spirituality, others to creativity. It’s vital to figure out what you can focus on to channel your stressors and avoid getting back into the habit.