Some alternative therapies may help you kick the habit.
Quitting smoking can be one of the most important steps you can take to improve your health. Not only will you reduce your risk of coronary artery disease, lung cancer and even cataracts, you will also improve the health of the people around you by reducing their exposure to second-hand smoke. There are dozens of methods to use to quit smoking, such as medication, nicotine replacement therapies and support groups or hotlines. Try alternative treatments for quitting smoking, as well, such as hypnotherapy, acupuncture, laser therapy and meditation. If one method does not work for you, try another.
Instructions
1. Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your options for quitting smoking. Many doctors recommend that patients try both conventional and alternative approaches to quitting smoking, rather than just trying alternative methods, according to Nora Isaacs of Health.com (see Reference 1).
2. Visit a certified hypnotherapist who specializes in helping people quit smoking. A typical session will begin with inducing a state of relaxation and exploring your smoking "triggers," or what events usually cause you to light up a cigarette. The hypnotherapist will then try to help you replace your response to these triggers with a nonsmoking activity. Because methods vary widely among different hypnotherapists, if you do not find results with one, try visiting a different hypnotherapist (see Reference 2).
3. Check with the American Board of Medical Acupuncture to find a certified acupuncturist near you. An acupuncturist will stimulate specific points on your body with the goal of alleviating nicotine withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings.
4. Try having cold laser therapy. This is similar to acupuncture, so if you prefer to avoid needles, it may be an ideal alternative for you. Cold laser therapy aims to provide relaxation and release endorphins to help reduce cravings. Also like acupuncture, cold laser therapy may help some but not all quitters, as "there is no scientific evidence that shows this helps people stop smoking," according to the American Cancer Society (see Reference 2).
5. Meditate when you feel a craving for nicotine. Meditation may help release dopamine, a natural chemical that can help alleviate cravings. It may also help you cope with the stress of quitting.
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