Non-Pharmacological Ways to Quit Smoking

By: Mark Christian Walters

Smoking is a rather difficult vice to quit. In most cases, natural approaches can be difficult to keep, considering that the temptation to smoke is just about present everywhere. Some find it easier to quit using prescription medications like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products (nicotine patches, lozenges, etc.) or antidepressants that double as nicotine craving suppressants (Zyban).

Most naturopathy followers explain that it's possible and even better to quit smoking by non-pharmacological means because it minimizes the chances of transferring one's addiction to the antidepressant or the NRT aid.

How can one stop smoking without the aid of prescription products? Here are some tips:
Psyche your self up.
Set a target quit date and mark it on your calendar. Mark down the days that have passed as you go along. You may also want to make a big chart of the advantages of being smoke free and the disadvantages of lighting up, just to remind you what you're jeopardizing when you start smoking again.
Find a partner.
Look for another smoker friend and encourage him to quit smoking with you. You and your partner can look out for one another when the urge to smoke hits. You can remind your partner that you're currently trying to quit and vice versa.
Get some exercise.
Aside from occupying free time that can get you thinking about smoking, exercising triggers the productions of endorphins that have the same feel-good effect in the brain as nicotine.
Find a substitute.
We're not talking about a substitute vice here, but rather a substitute for the cigarettes you put in your mouth. Some people give in to their urges simply because they miss the feeling of putting cigarettes in their mouth and lighting up. Chew on gum, suck on a lollipop, or use cinnamon sticks to keep your mouth occupied.
These are only a few non-medication based approaches to quitting smoking. Other alternative approaches like hypnosis and acupuncture can also be used, but to be sure that you're taking the right path to being smoke free, always consult a doctor



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