So, you’re ready to stop smoking. Congratulations! But where do you start? Cold turkey seems drastic and unrealistic. Nicotine gums and patches could help, but they don’t address the root of nicotine addiction. Maybe medications are the ticket…but what about the side effects?
Thankfully, there are many different ways to quit smoking – and many of them are natural and safe! Here we will cover some natural ways that can help you stop smoking without medications, side effects, or relapses.
5 Ways to Quit Smoking Naturally
1. Acupuncture for Smoking Cessation
Acupuncture is a centuries-old practice that has been proven to help people quit smoking. It works by reducing cigarette cravings and calming stress. Additionally, acupuncture restores the body’s health and helps the body detoxify faster after quitting.
During a smoking cessation acupuncture treatment at Wellnest Denver, tiny needles are inserted into various points in the ear (called the “NADA” protocol), as well as the arms, legs, or other areas depending on your unique needs. After your treatment, you may also leave with ear seeds (tiny sticker balls) applied to these points in the ear to help keep stress and cravings low between acupuncture visits.
The NADA protocol (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) was developed to promote detoxification and aid recovery of addictions, smoking, and mental stress. Five standard points are placed in the outer ear, each of which systematically corresponds with organ systems throughout your body. These ear acupuncture points promote detoxification and relieve anxiety by relaxing you both mentally and physically.
Try it: Book your consultation at Wellnest Denver. We’ll walk you through what to expect with our smoking cessation acupuncture program. Then, visit our office for your acupuncture visits to help reduce your cravings and restore your body’s health.
2. Herbal Medicine and Teas for Quitting Smoking
Along with acupuncture, specific herbal remedies and teas may help with the quitting process. Certain Chinese herbs reduce cravings, while others help us manage stress and feel calm, eliminating the need for stress smoking.
Green tea is a natural remedy with promising research behind it. Studies show that green tea helps flood the body with micronutrients and amino acids that reduce the urge to smoke. Other studies show that drinking green tea daily can help reverse the harmful effects of smoking and improve lung health.
3. Mindfulness for Quitting Smoking
A mindfulness or meditation practice can help you stop smoking and overcome your cravings naturally. It is a simple practice that typically involves focusing on the present moment and observing one’s thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment without judgment.
For many people, smoking is a stress-relief mechanism. When you stop smoking, it can feel challenging to manage the everyday stressors in your life. Mindfulness has been proven to help you cope with stress in your life by calming your mind. When you are mindful of your stress and have simple techniques to work through it, you’ll experience less anxiety, and it will be easier to resist pulling out a cigarette to calm down.
Try it: When a craving hits, take a mindfulness pause instead of a cigarette break. Simple mindfulness techniques like breathing or visualization can help you ride the wave of your cravings and come out stronger on the other side. Guided meditations to quit smoking are also helpful.
4. Games and Apps to Quit Smoking
The key to quitting could be right in your pocket. These days, many people use phone apps to help them ward off cravings and motivate themselves to stick to their quitting program.
Apps use games, distraction, and cognitive behavioral therapy to address both the physical and psychological triggers of smoking. They’re easy to use and always available when a craving hits. Just pull out your phone and tap into the app!
Try it: There are countless apps (many are free!) to help you quit smoking. Try EasyQuit or Quit Genius or any of the apps on this list.
5. Exercise to Quit Smoking
Exercise is one of the most powerful ways to rescue stress and detoxify the body. Research shows it could help cut cigarette cravings, too.
Studies show that those who exercise while trying to stop smoking have a higher quit rate than those who did not. They also experienced fewer instances of relapses and report a higher overall quality of life. The added benefit? Starting a healthy exercise program while you quit helps prevent that pesky weight gain that many quitters notice.
Try it: The best exercise to do when quitting smoking is the exercise you enjoy doing. Whether that’s weight training or walking, running or cycling, whatever activities get you moving and keep you motivated will ensure you stick to the program long enough to reap the benefits. Aim for at least 30 minutes per day, at least five days per week.
Extra Tips to Stop Smoking Successfully
No matter which natural methods you choose, quitting is never easy. Here are a few tips to help you quit successfully:
Start with a plan.
The first step to quitting smoking is to develop a plan. Set SMART goals to determine how many cigarettes you will reduce your daily limit to and by what time. Start with a 1-day goal, a 1-week goal, a 1-month goal, and a 3-month goal to start. And remember – if you fall off track, just get back on! Goals can be flexible. The most important thing is that you quit, not that you quit perfectly.
Define your “why.”
After you have a plan, the next step is finding the motivation to follow your plan. The most powerful source of motivation comes from a strong “why.” What is your deepest reason for quitting and embracing a healthier life? Is it so you can achieve other goals? To be healthy enough to spend quality time with your family for years to come? Whatever it is, remember your why when you feel the urge to smoke. It will help you fight past your cravings and motivate you to continue.
Share your goal to quit.
Studies show that those who have a support group or social accountability when quitting are more likely to quit for good than those who try to quit alone. Share your quitting goal with a friend or family member. Or, check out support groups or counseling services that can help you quit more effectively.
Track your progress and celebrate small victories.
Quitting smoking is no small task. Be patient, expect to experience challenges, and be gentle with yourself along the way. And most importantly, don’t forget to acknowledge your progress and celebrate your wins – no matter how small they seem. Even small milestones are huge accomplishments when it comes to overcoming an addiction. Plus, these small celebrations or rewards help to keep you motivated and make it more likely that you’ll stick to your goals of quitting and stay smoke-free.
Quit Smoking for Good at Wellnest Denver
You deserve to live your life free from cigarettes. But if you’re worried that you’ll never be able to quit, know this: it is possible for you. Wellnest Denver Acupuncture is here to help you get there!
At Wellnest Denver, we won’t just help you fight those cigarette cravings. We’ll guide you through each step of smoking cessation success. Together, we’ll create a quit-smoking plan that helps make quitting easier, more enjoyable, and more achievable – all while helping your body return to its natural state of health.
Ready to quit smoking for good? Book your visit to Wellnest Denver and say goodbye to cigarettes once and for all!
