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While smoking cigarettes is less common than it used to be, it’s still a popular habit and one of the most common addictions around the world.

Most people are well aware of the potential health risks associated with smoking, and there are plenty of compelling reasons to quit. But it is still a very difficult addiction to stop, at least without help.

With this in mind, here are some tips to help you quit smoking and breathe easier.

The Right Motivations

Sometimes it’s good to review the benefits of not smoking. When you’ve been smoking for a while, it becomes your new normal. You don’t notice a lot of the downsides, because you’ve been living with them for a while. But while health issues might take time to develop, they are very real.

Most people are aware of the increased risk of lung and throat cancer, as well as other issues like heart disease and lung diseases like COPD. However, these might seem like far-off consequences. However, reduced lung capacity and breathing difficulties do appear sooner. Asthma and other conditions might worsen when you smoke.

If you quit smoking, you will soon notice increased energy, fitness, and even reduced stress levels. The problem is the withdrawal stage, which is where your stress will skyrocket.

Smoking also speeds up the aging process, resulting in earlier wrinkles, yellow teeth and fingers, and even thinning hair. If you want to feel young for longer, quitting smoking is a great place to start.

Speak to a Doctor

We’ve explored a few of the potential health benefits of quitting smoking, but it still might be hard to be motivated on your own. It’s also a good idea to speak to a doctor about your goals at your next health checkup.

A doctor can give you a more detailed overview of your health and the risks of smoking. But they can also give you targeted advice to help you deal with the potential side effects of quitting smoking, including the withdrawal symptoms.

It often helps to be prepared. Some people fail to quit because they don’t understand how bad withdrawal can be and think they can just power through it, but this isn’t always possible. While you can go cold turkey, it’s very difficult to manage.

Weaning Off

As mentioned before, cold turkey is a viable option when quitting and can help you get through the withdrawal process more quickly, but it’s unpleasant.

If this method doesn’t work for you, try to wean yourself off tobacco and nicotine. Reduce your usage of cigarettes and other tobacco products. Use nicotine replacements like tobacco free nicotine pouches to help you deal with cravings.

Some people find that it helps to keep their hands and mouth busy. Chewing gum when you have a craving can be helpful, as can playing with a pen or another object to distract yourself from cravings.

If you know other people who are trying to quit, try to quit together. This way you can advocate for each other and provide support.

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