5 Natural Ways to Quit Smoking: Holistic Approaches to Kick the Habit
Smoking, a widespread habit across the globe, is known for its harmful effects on health. Despite the awareness campaigns and scientific evidence available about the dangers of smoking, quitting this ill habit remains a difficult journey.
Numerous natural and holistic approaches have gained a lot of traction recently. These approaches help patients overcome the complications of quitting this habit and regain better control over their lives.
When you focus on quitting smoking, numerous natural and holistic approaches have gained popularity as effective ways to help individuals quit. In this comprehensive guide, we will take a closer look into those methods.
What are The Physical and Psychological Dependence on Smoking?
Before taking a closer look into how to quit smoking naturally, it is quintessential that we understand the physical and psychological dependence on smoking and why quitting becomes a hassle.
Physical Dependence: Nicotine, the addictive substance in cigarettes, stimulates the brain's reward system, leading to physical dependence. When a smoker abstains, withdrawal symptoms like cravings, irritability, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating can occur.
Psychological Dependence: Smoking often serves as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, or boredom. The ritual of smoking can provide a sense of comfort and relaxation. Breaking this psychological association can be challenging.
What is the Role of Nicotine Replacement Therapy?
To maximise the benefits of using natural methods for quitting smoking, the initial days need to be paired with an effective nicotine replacement therapy like Ryze. Being one of the leading nicotine gum brands in India, Ryze has helped over 1,20,000 people on their smoking-free journey.
The process is simple, you pick a flavour of Ryze nicotine gum you like, chew until the Nicotine flavour kicks in and then park it between your gum and cheek. Once the nicotine flavour subsides, you can resume chewing the gum.
Being a scientifically proven nicotine replacement therapy, Ryze helps you manage your cravings and quit the habit more successfully, without damaging your physical or psychological well-being.
How to Quit Smoking: Top Natural Remedies
Smoking is a habit that, on average, builds up over a few years or even decades. So, when it comes to holistic approaches to kick the habit, finding the right one is quintessential.
1. Black Pepper
Surprisingly, black pepper has been scientifically proven to manage the nicotine cravings that you get when you are on your journey to quit smoking. But do you chew on peppercorns to subside the craving? Not really!
In fact, in a study conducted, the participants were given tissue papers with two drops of black pepper oil and were asked to inhale it when their nicotine craving hit. The study also used a blend of angelica oil in the mix. Results showcased significantly reduced cravings and helped manage the symptoms of tobacco withdrawal.
Furthermore, the results also depicted that while black pepper oil reduced the frequency of the cravings, adding angelica oil extended the time between each craving.
2. St. John's Wort
Another herbal remedy that has proven benefits in reducing your nicotine cravings is St. John's Wort. The benefits of this herb are quite extensive. From ADHD to depression, the effectiveness of this herb in managing the symptoms of these mental illnesses is quite extensive.
Although there are studies that indicate the benefits of St. John's Wort in managing depressive and compulsive episodes that people have when trying to quit smoking, you have to understand that more extensive research is indeed needed to understand the mode of action better.
3. Mindfulness and Meditation
Sometimes, quitting smoking is a mental complexity which we have a hard time overcoming. We have our thoughts going haywire and experience depressive episodes, agitation and irritability when trying to quit a habit that has been fostered for years.
Choosing meditation and mindfulness is indeed an effective way to overcome the complexities that come with the emotional turmoil of quitting smoking. For smokers, mindfulness can help break the cycle of automatic behaviour, where reaching for a cigarette becomes an unconscious response to stress, boredom, or social triggers.
Deep breathing exercises are one of the best ways to focus and relax your mind in the moment. They allow you to acknowledge your thoughts without judgment, which allows you to improve your control over managing cravings.
4. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine in which the experts insert fine needles into specific points on the body to restore the body’s energy flow (Qi). It has been a popular natural remedy for smoking cessation.
Studies indicate that acupuncture can help reduce nicotine cravings by stimulating points in the ear, known as auricular acupuncture, which is believed to control addiction-related behaviour. The method also helps balance the body’s energy, thereby reducing the withdrawal symptoms you might be struggling with.
5. Exercise and Physical Activity
Stress and cravings are interrelated. You will find that when you are on your road to quitting this habit, the withdrawal symptoms come charging at you out of nowhere. Constantly being stressed, frustrated and wanting “one drag” becomes a common afterthought.
If you are wondering how to quit smoking naturally, exercise helps the body repair the damage caused by smoking and promotes the release of endorphins, boosting one’s mood and reducing the urge to smoke. Indulging in exercising doesn’t mean you have to hit the gym right now; you are quitting.
It can start with something small yet substantial. Start with one hour of walking around the neighbourhood. You can then integrate strength training or resistance training, depending on accessibility and comfort. Studies have shown that even short bursts of exercise, such as a 5-10-minute walk, can significantly reduce the intensity of cigarette cravings.
Ready to Leave Smoking Behind?
If you are ready to embrace a life filled with good health and break free from the shackles of smoking, you are already in the right direction, making the right decision for your life. You deserve to live a healthy life, not burdened by chemicals slowly eating away at your lungs.
Ryze can help you on that journey. With our 21-day “Break the Habit” Challenge, you can bid farewell to the bad habit and instill the willpower in your mind to get to the finish line.
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