The first few days after your ‘Quit date’ can be difficult. Smoking craving is something many smokers experience, and it is the one thing that makes ‘cold turkey’ difficult. In order to quit, you will need to learn different methods of coping with the cravings. Take out the ‘Reasons to quit’ list and remind yourself why you are quitting. Remember that just one cigarette will hurt your chances and most people then go back to regular smoking. Below are also tips that other smokers have found helpful. Please email us if you have any other suggestions you find helpful:

Tips to keep the crave at bay:

1. Carry some candy, jelly beans or gum with you. This is important to stop the oral fixation for cigarettes
2. Always carry around your gum, nicotine patches or any of the quit smoking aids suggested by your doctor.
3. Constantly remind yourself of why you are quitting. Craving for cigarettes is psychological as much as it is physiological, so motivation is paramount.
4. If the anxiety to smoke is increasing, make sure you keep your appointments with your doctor, counselor or psychologist, and ask for more help. If you have your quitting partner, call her/him for support.
5. Remember the 4 Ds. The first of which is Delay. When you sense the urge to smoke, don’t open a pack of cigarettes. Wait 5 minutes, and the desire to smoke will weaken.
6. The second D is Deep breathing. Take a long slow deep breath and thinking about the fresh air. Repeat it as many times as you need.
7. Next is drink water. Take a cool glass of water and drink it slowly, holding the cold water in your mouth to enhance the fresh taste.
8. The last one and most important method is distraction. Do something else to take your mind off the crave. Listen to some music, chew some gum or twirl your pen. Go practice some magic tricks or slight of hand.
9. Watch how much tea, coffee and coke drinks (caffine) you consume. Without nicotine, caffine has a greater effect on you. It increases irritability, causes sleep disturbances, nervousness and headaches. Try drinking decaffinated coffee, juice or simply water.