In the UK alone, an estimated 13.5% of adults smoke cigarettes, with most smokers residing in Blackpool, the nation’s smoking capital. With one of the largest consumer markets worldwide, it begs the question: what triggers people to pick up a cigarette? Frustration? Boredom? Fatigue? Joy? These emotions are all associated with smoking, yet frustration and stress are among the top triggers for sparking a cigarette.
When experiencing negative emotions, the urge to smoke can increase as smokers often believe that cigarettes help them unwind and dispel these unpleasant feelings. However, despite popular belief, those who smoke are more likely to suffer from increased tension and mental health conditions like anxiety or depression.
Knocking a habit on the head can be challenging, so at the start of your non-smoking journey, you may feel the urge to pick up a cigarette more strongly than ever, especially when you are stressed. Yet, armed with the right tools and a little practice, you’ll soon find that relaxation can be accomplished without a cigarette in your hand – look at some of the simple ways below to help you get started.
Look After Yourself
You should always strive to look after yourself, yet when going through withdrawal, you should take extra care to ensure that allyour needs are met. Two of the best ways to do so are by maintaining a balanced, healthy diet and ensuring that you drink the recommended amount of water per day since eating well helpsflush out and replenish the toxins that cigarettes create. Drinking around six to eight glasses of water per day while trying to ditch nicotine is also beneficial since it helps your body detox faster and is a natural craving-buster.
Cut Out Caffeine
It’s no secret that when you have a cigarette, it is usually accompanied by a cup of coffee or tea, and as you smoke more and more throughout the day – the more caffeine you crave. When you cut out nicotine, you will more than likely half the amount of caffeine you drink since you won’t feel the need to make these beverages as much without a cigarette in your hand.
Or it may work oppositely, and you might increase your caffeine intake to substitute the lack of nicotine your body is receiving. Either way, not getting enough caffeine (or too much) might cause you to feel more anxious and jittery than before quitting cigarettes. Fortunately, many caffeine substitutes are on the market, from carbonated soft drinks to fruit juices.
Another popular alternative to caffeine, which has become popular over the last several years, is CBD-infused products such as drinks and CBD e-liquids that are renowned for reducing anxiety’s physical and mental effects. CBD e-liquids are a prevalent choice for ex-smokers or those on a no-smoking journey since it mimics having a cigarette without the harmful effects.
Learn more about CBD e-liquids on JM Wholesale’s website, which stocks a range of CBD e-liquids in various strengths and flavours. From full spectrum CBD e-liquids to disposable vape pens, consider heading to their website to learn more and discover how CBD e-liquids could help you relax without a cigarette.
Get A Massage
When stressed, it not only takes its toll on us emotionally but physically. As a result of these negative feelings, our entire bodies will tense up and hold all the unpleasantness we’re feeling in our muscles; however, this is nothing a good massage can’t sort out. Enlist the services of a local beauty salon or find yourself a pair of willing hands (like a friend or a partner) to help soothe the stress out of your muscles.
Depending on whom you manage to enlist for the task, asking for a full body massage should do the trick, or if not, a ten to a fifteen-minute session on your shoulders, neck, or back can work wonders to dispel some of the stress that has built-up inside. If you can’t recruit a willing pair of hands or don’t live close to a place that offers massage services, you could also consider purchasing a self-massage tool like a massage gun, massage pillow, or foam roller.
Get A Good Night’s Sleep
Many people smoke because they are fatigued, but not many know that the early days of smoking cessation can be some of the most tiring for your mind and body. Generally, for the first few weeks when you quit smoking, you will feel more tired, but after around six weeks, you’ll find that your body is starting to adapt to the lack of nicotine, and you’ll feel spritelier.
Not only will you feel physically tired when you quit smoking, but you’ll also feel mentally drained since whatever emotions triggered your smoking habit will have to be addressed using healthier coping mechanisms instead of reaching for a cigarette like you’re so used to.
