Dealing with the urge to smoke:
- Remember that the urge to smoke will go away sooner than you expect, usually in 8-15 minutes.
- Talk to family members and friends; have them encourage you and boost your spirits.
- Stay away from friends w ho smoking.
- Review your reasons for quitting smoking
- Find something to help redirect the cravings, such as the following:
- Brushing your teeth thoroughly
- Relaxing and practicing deep breathing
- Exercising, playing sports, or walking
- Taking a hot bath or shower
- Keeping your hands busy by always doing something
- Some useful substitutes for cigarettes:
- Hands – Hold an item in your hand, such as a pencil, paper clip, coin, rosary, etc. Find something to do to keep your hands busy, such as drawing or gardening.
- Mouth – Keep a toothpick in your mouth, chew gum, chew licorice, drink water, and eat fruits and vegetable such as celery and carrots. Brush or floss your teeth several times a day.
- Lungs – Exercise, practice deep breathing and imagine that you are expelling the toxic substances from your of your body.
- Mental State – Practice deep breathing, relax your mind and body, pray, go for a walk, talk to a friend, write, draw, sing, or read a book.
- Enjoyment – Go rent or see a movie, tell a joke, laugh out loud, eat with friends and family, play with your children or grandchildren, do anything that you enjoy doing.