3 ways to help with nicotine cravings after quitting smoking
A former smoker advises those who have nicotine cravings to practise two minutes of deep breathing to get over the moment of craving.
FORMER cigarette smoker Lisinda Van Rensburg says her entire life has changed for the better after she quit smoking in 2011.
Van Rensburg (44), a Pinetown resident, reveals this as the globe observes World No Tobacco Day, today, May 31. She also shared a few tips to assist with nicotine cravings after quitting smoking. She alludes that willpower, empowerment and courage helped her to stop smoking.
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Van Rensburg admitted that the smoking cravings still haunt her after 13 years of quitting. “My life has changed for the better in many ways since I stopped smoking. My health is much better; my house and clothes no longer smell of cigarettes. I do not have to make emergency trips to the garage at midnight because I want to smoke,” she says.
Van Rensburg advises those who have nicotine cravings to practise two minutes of deep breathing to get over the craving moment. She says: “I do not regret quitting smoking because my life has been better since I stopped. No cravings will make me smoke again because I know what is good for me.” Van Rensburg highlighted that she smoked cigarettes for fun.
“Someone asked me once why I smoked. I could not give a valid reason except that I enjoyed it. I was wondering when I would stop. One day, I woke up and told myself that I am not smoking today, and the rest was history,” she added.
Here are Van Rensburg’s three suggestions to help with nicotine cravings after quitting smoking:
- Changing my surroundings, going for a walk and using intricate colouring books helped me fight nicotine cravings. Do something stimulating and enjoyable to distract yourself.
- Talk to your loved ones and tell them you are struggling with nicotine cravings. Their encouragement will help.
- Find new ways to relax without a cigarette, such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, yoga, visualisation, massage or listening to calming music.
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