Quitting smoking can help you maintain your health and save money, and the Federal Centre for Health Education in Germany has highlighted the following simple strategies to help you quit smoking:
Distraction
One can shift focus away from smoking by engaging in alternative activities, such as taking a shower or writing a letter to a friend.
Replacement is also a beneficial strategy to quit smoking, by replacing cigarettes with chewing gum or consuming nuts.
Delaying Tactics
Delaying is also a beneficial strategy, as the desire to smoke a cigarette often diminishes after 30 seconds to 3 minutes. During this time, one can practice deep breathing at a rate of 10 breaths per minute.
It is also crucial to avoid situations where one is tempted to smoke, while informing friends, family, and colleagues about your decision to quit smoking for their support and encouragement.
Useful Apps
Apps like “Smoke Free” – available on both iOS and Android – can help you quit smoking through the creation of an effective plan.
However, if these measures prove unsuccessful, one can consult a psychologist who may use cognitive-behavioural therapy to help replace unhealthy habits with healthier ones.
