A Holistic Approach to Quitting Smoking: 3 Tips

Published on March 22, 2023 – Last Updated on March 22, 2023

Smoking cessation is complex, and people may require several attempts at quitting before succeeding. However, the benefits of quitting cigarettes far outweigh the effort it takes to get there. According to an article published by NIH, quitting before hitting 40 years old can significantly reduce the risk of mortality, with former smokers only having a quarter of the excess risk of death compared to those who continue to smoke.

However, smoking can be caused by stress responses, subconscious behaviors, and external influences. As such, for smoking cessation to be effective, you must address every aspect of your life affected by it. If you’re curious about holistic smoking cessation, here are some tips to help you:

Nicotine replacement therapy

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) should be the basis of your holistic approach to quitting. NRT is a medically approved and research-based method that gradually lowers nicotine intake. To do this, you must use nicotine alternatives with increasingly lower doses over a certain period.

A popular choice is the nicotine pouch, which is a small bag of tobacco-free nicotine that is tucked under the upper lip for an hour. The nicotine pouches available on Prilla.com demonstrate how they come in various strengths and flavors (ranging from mint to coffee) so that users can personalize their nicotine experience. They’re also easily accessible since they can be ordered online and delivered within a few days. You can also try nicotine inhalers, which satisfy psychological cravings since their use mimics the sucking motion of smoking. Nicotrol nicotine inhalers, which come in 10 mg cartridges, are also commonly used to quit smoking. These are widely accessible over the counter but are best used with the guidance of a medical professional. With clean nicotine alternatives like these, you don’t have to quit cold turkey. Instead, you raise the likelihood of sustainable smoking cessation.

Hypnotherapy

While NRT forms the basis of training your mind to stop craving cigarettes, hypnotherapy can train your subconscious to do the same. After all, the impulse to have a smoke comes from the subconscious mind. Our article “Stop Smoking Meditation: How to Quit Smoking” explains that hypnotherapy is safe, non-invasive, and has a success rate above 80%. We also cite a study from the University of Exeter that found that individuals are twice as likely to remain smoke-free after six months compared to those who tried other standalone cessation methods with hypnotherapy, making it a great supplement to NRTs.

Hypnotherapy rewires your cravings and thoughts. You are guided through identifying your reasons for smoking and breaking the patterns that lead to it. However, quitting can be uncomfortable since you will be prone to headaches, irritability, forgetfulness, and cravings. Using our Stop Meditation app, you learn relaxation techniques that help you work through withdrawal symptoms. These include breathing and visualization exercises, self-hypnosis, and positive affirmations that comfort you as you train yourself to eliminate cravings.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves inserting needles into specific pressure points in the body. This helps relieve pain and promote well-being, addressing conditions ranging from back pain to headaches. These days, it’s also used for smoking cessation.

In particular, auricular acupuncture is used to curb withdrawal symptoms. It serves as a comprehensive treatment where needles are inserted around the ear. This reduces cravings by relieving your stress response and relaxing the body, so you’re less likely to want a cigarette. It also releases endorphins, the feel-good hormone, so you can better cope with the irritability and fatigue that comes with your cessation journey. This makes it a valuable addition to your holistic quitting efforts.

Although smoking cessation is challenging, succeeding allows you to pursue a better quality of life. With a holistic approach, you will have a greater chance of successfully quitting. For more about holistic wellness, read more here at MindTastik.com.