When trying to give up smoking, it helps to know about the things you should do when you quit smoking and things you should avoid. The truth is quitting this habit is that it’s easier said than done, but managing the withdrawal symptoms and maintaining overall health can go a long way in helping. Read on for some helpful tips to quit smoking successfully.

What are the things you should do when you quit smoking?

• To start with, visiting places where smoking is not allowed, like libraries, museums, malls, and theaters, is beneficial. It ensures that indulgence in the habit is curbed for the time spent there.
• Taking good care of health is essential, and this includes staying hydrated and getting enough sleep. High stress levels can trigger a relapse, so a lack of sleep and other controllable aspects should be avoided.
• It may be a good idea to avoid the consumption of coffee, alcohol, and other drinks that you can associate with the habit of smoking. Instead, opt for sports drinks or fresh fruit juices to boost physical and mental health.
• Chewing on things like cinnamon, sugar-free lollipops, gums, or even celery can help overcome the temptation to take a smoke.
• One of the most important things you should do when you quit smoking is to avoid the company of people and places that you link with this habit to prevent relapse and stay away from possible triggers.
• Deep-breathing can help you calm your mind and fill up your lungs with fresh air.
• Constant reminders about the reason for quitting the habit, be it your own health or that of your loved ones’, can help provide motivation against any triggers for relapse.
• It may be a good idea to brush often to enjoy the freshness in the mouth and dissuade the mind from thinking of smoking.
• Working out in short bursts, like push-ups, walking, lunges, and toe-touching, can keep both the body and mind occupied.
• Calling a friend or relative for support is always helpful when quitting the habit.
• Instead of focusing on eating a couple of big meals during the day, more frequent but smaller meals throughout the day can keep the blood glucose levels stable and balance energy levels. This helps reduce the urge to smoke. Also, avoiding sugary and spicy snacks can help overcome the temptation to pick up a cigarette.
• When following the guidelines on the things you should do when you quit smoking, should make it a point to reward every successful effort to quit, no matter how small it is.
• Anxiety, frustration, irritability, and depression can be triggered as withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit a long-term habit of smoking. However, they improve over time as the body gets rid of toxins and begins healing.