Natural Ways to Quit Smoking
Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
With the New Year upon us, the yearly resolution to quit smoking will likely cross many minds. It’s no wonder that this happens as the statistics against smoking are clear and staggering. Consider the following:
- In 2010, 17% of Canadians over age 15 identified themselves as smokers.
- Each year, smoking is the direct cause of death for 37,000 Canadians.
- Secondhand smoke is responsible for the death of 6,300 non-smoking Canadians each year.
Smoking is clearly a bad health decision, but it is also a hard habit to kick. For many smokers, the use of smoking cessation drugs or nicotine patches and gums seem almost as unbearable as the smoking itself. So, for those of you who want to quit smoking in 2012 (or know someone who does) consider these natural remedies to help defeat the habit in the best way possible.
Overall Health & Diet
The healthier you are, the easier the quitting process will be. Therefore, use your pledge to quit smoking as part of an overall wellness plan that focuses on getting adequate vitamins and nutrients in your diet each day. Avoid processed foods and chemical additives and drink lots of water. Many smokers have also found that salt can greatly reduce their craving; this can be accomplished by eating a salty snack, such as slated nuts, or even placing salt directly on your tongue when a craving hits.
Remember to Breathe
When you smoke a cigarette, majority of what you take into your lungs is air. Therefore, deep breathing exercises and aromatherapy can have a great effect on your ability to stop smoking. The practice of meditative breathing can help you calm your mind and move beyond the psychological aspect of your addiction as well (see below).
The use of aromatherapy can also help to calm your nerves and curb your cravings. Any oil designed to relax you such as lavender and chamomile can be diffused into the air to help you relax and move past the urge to smoke. Also, black pepper oil has been proven to help stop withdrawal symptoms and another oil, called Tobacco Absolute, is made from tobacco and has the same rich smell. In the first days following your decision to quit, dropping Tobacco Absolute onto a blotter and inhaling it can simulate the process of smoking a cigarette.
Consider Hypnosis
Many people also swear by the process of hypnosis to help them quit smoking. As long as you are open to the process and fully committed to quitting, this is an excellent solution. However, hypnosis in smoking cessation cannot be used alone. It needs to be part of an overall program that helps you to overcome the psychological aspects of your addiction. Many people begin smoking at a specific point in their life for a specific reason. Getting at the heart of why you need this habit is the first step towards breaking it.
Now Is the Best Time
Smoking is a terrible habit that cases nothing but damage to ourselves and those around us. However, it is also a powerful addiction that often serves as stress relief. Therefore, the process of quitting is far more complicated than putting down the cigarette pack on any given day. The process is not impossible, however. If you want to quit smoking naturally, there are many ways to do it and many people, including us at the clinic, who will support you in doing so!
Call us at 780-410-1100 to book an appointment for acupuncture or naturopathic medicine that will support your decision to quit!
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