Self-Care For Smokers
If you are trying to reduce or quit smoking it may seem at times like an
impossible battle. Try these tips to help meet your goal.
1. Take time to relax and reward yourself with healthy, pleasurable
activities like hot baths, walking in parks or by the water, or massage.
2. Self-massage to your hands may reduce craving and withdrawal
symptoms.
• Rub the palm and sides of the hand in circular motions.
• Massage the fingers and bend them back gently.
• Squeeze the webbing between the thumb and index finger for
30 seconds.
3. Both acupuncture and hypnosis has helped many people quit smoking.
Ask for referrals to these professionals.
4. Make sure you drink plenty of water. Drinking water aids the functioning
of the whole body including the circulation and the kidneys,
which are both involved with relieving the body of waste products
and will play a large part in ridding your body of nicotine. Saunas,
steams, and hot tubs are also good tools to help you “sweat it out.”
5. Regular exercise can also help you feel better by improving your
circulation and releasing endorphins, the body’s natural “feelgood”
hormones.
6. Many hospitals offer quit smoking classes and support groups that
may help you quit or support you to resist the urge to start again.
7. Try this relaxation exercise. Close your eyes and tense all your
muscles and then relax them as fully as possible. Inhale deeply,
filling your lungs with air, then hold it. Slowly release the air from
your lungs as you exhale and keep breathing out until you feel as if
you can’t breathe out any more. While you do this let you arms fall
by your side and let your chin fall onto your chest. Imagine that as
you breathe out all the tension and stress is leaving your body from
your fingers and your toes. Repeat this process three times. Repeat as
often as you need while you are withdrawing from nicotine.
8. Don’t expect too much too fast. Turning around a nicotine addiction
may take time, and good habits that will last your lifetime are often
best developed gradually.