With many spending more time outdoors over the next few months, those trying to quit smoking face an uphill battle as they find more and more opportunities to have a quick cigarette or slip into bad social habits while enjoying the late sunshine hours.
However, some simple lifestyle changes can help put a damper on the nicotine cravings.
Expert Vinod Kumar, Head of Digital Marketing at E-liquids.com, shared five unexpected tips that people can easily incorporate into their summer schedule to help keep on track with their quitting ambitions despite their “incredibly tempting” surroundings. His advice covers everything from berries to iced tea and exercise.
Summer fruits and vegetables
Vinod explained that switching out habits like smoking for snacking on summer fruit, such as apples, strawberries and blueberries, can “keep your mouth busy and distract you from reaching for a cigarette”.
Vegetable sticks like carrots, celery and cucumbers can also mimic the smoking habit when the urge strikes, while studies at the University of Buffalo revealed that people who ate more fruits and vegetables were more likely to stay smoke-free for at least 30 days.
Iced tea
Once of the most refreshing drinks of the summer can actually help to stop smoking cravings.
Vinod recommended iced green tea specifically for its health benefits as the antioxidants and amino acids “help diminish the urge to smoke and can even repair tissues that have been damaged by smoking”.
Summer walks
Walks, hikes, runs and other outdoor activities won’t just ensure Brits get the most of the summer sunshine and vitamin D while it’s in abundance but also acts as the “perfect distraction” to replace a smoking habit.
Some studies have found exercising can also decrease withdrawal effects and provide motivation to stay smoke-free.
Meditation and stress releasers
Meditation, yoga or other stress-relieving activities can be taken outdoors into local parks to make the most of the summer months while also promoting relaxation, mental wellbeing, mindfulness and self-control – all of which are crucial to overcome cravings and build the discipline to quit smoking for good.
Avoidance
Summer is full of temptations for those trying to quit smoking, including hanging out with friends who smoke or going to social gatherings where smoking is accepted and encouraged.
While avoiding these situations outright can be difficult, Vinod noted that it’s “crucial” for those in the early stages of quitting to avoid triggers at all costs.
However, this doesn’t have to mean staying home all summer as he noted that alcohol can “significantly increase the likelihood of smoking by lowering inhibitions”, so opting to go alcohol-free can be an easy way to reduce temptation while still enjoying the festivities.
He also recommended “communicating with friends and family to gain their support in your smoke-free journey” so your support network can help you in social moments rather than accidentally tempting you into the habit by offering to share a cigarette.
