Many social smokers might think they are not addicted, but numerous research has shown that these individuals are plain way suppressing the similar cravings that chain smokers experienced. Many experts caution that social smoking would eventually lead to regular smoking if it is kept up long term – in fact, few humans are addicted after the initial cigarette. Any degree of smoking is rough for the body, but learning how to resist nicotine cravings might permit you to maintain the social smoking habit without becoming a chain smoker.
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Ignore nicotine triggers.
Many smokers discover that they experience cravings whenever they are in places or situations where they smoked most often. If you tend to smoke at parties, bars, or around a particular friend’s group, and you need to temper the smoking habits, it might be best to ignore those triggers until a day when you are ready to smoke.
Distracting yourself.
One of the good manners to ignore giving in to the cravings, especially if you explore yourself in situations or places that trigger the urge to smoke, is to give yourself adequate distractions. For some, that might mean something to satisfy an oral fixation. For others, it might need something to keep the hands busier.
Delay and regulate the urges.
If you explore yourself by absolutely craving a cigarette on a day you do not need to smoke, promising yourself you will wait 15 minutes before reaching for the pack. In that time, do something distractful. Try going for a walk or reading something engrossing to distract the mind, and apply a physical replacement (like a lollipop or toothpick) to satisfy the habitual components of smoking. You could also squeeze a stress ball to support managing any anxiety that accompanies the cravings.
Using relaxation techniques.
If you explore the social smoking habits that turn into rough cravings whenever you are stressed, try applying relaxation techniques to breaking the stress patterns. There are numerous relaxation techniques that smokers discover useful, including deep-breathing, meditation, yoga and muscle relaxation.
Make time for a workout.
Studies have shown that 35 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity could actually quell a nicotine craving. If you are able to get outside when a crave strikes, go for a bike ride, run, and a long walk. If you are at work, try a few lower-intensity workout alternatives like pushups. squats,and lunges, or down several flights of stairs /walking up.
Having a support system.
Whether you are trying to quit altogether, or just trying to break a too-frequent smoking habit down into what you view as the much more-manageable social habit, having a support system could be a valuable aid. If you do not identify anyone who’s actively trying to quit or lessen the smoking frequency, you could join an online support group.
Visit non-smoking places.
If you’re having a tough time breaking the nicotine habit, it might be supportful to go to public places like restaurants and some parks, where smoking is prohibited. Being around other non-smokers might be motivating, and if nothing else you understand that you would be incapable of lit up while you’re in that zone.
Identify when to cut yourself off.
It’s alright if you slip up once in a while and smoke on an “off” day. But it’s significant to recognize that this is akin to taking a cheat day on the diet. You could not keep indulging day after day if you need to ignore becoming a chain-smoker. The significant thing is to absolutely cut yourself off after one single cigarette, if you should have one.
Learn the tobacco effects.
Tobacco carries many, many chemicals, the most addictive of which is nicotine. Nicotine has been shown to be as addictive a drug as cocaine or heroin. Lower levels of nicotine consumption develop a slight euphoric emotion due to the releasing of dopamine and the minor adrenaline rush that accompany the act of smoking. Nicotine also lessens blood flow in the body’s extremities, increases the resting heart rate, and lowers skin temperatures.
Understanding social smoking.
Numerous self-avowed social smokers claimed that they are not addicted, and could quit any time they required. However, on the chemical level, even social smokers’ brains become sensitizing to nicotine. Brain scans have been shown a density of dendrites and increase in the development in the chunks of the brain connected with addiction.
Considering seeing a doctor.
If you are concerned about the level or frequency of smoking, or if you have tried to quit at certain times and have not been successful, you might need to consider talking to the doctor. A medical professional would be able to support you and develop a treatment plan to manage both the behavioral and physical aspects of the dependence/addiction, and such treatment plans are often pretty highly successful.
