10 Tips And Techniques To Deal With Stop Smoking Cravings

One important fact about cravings and urges is that they will always pass. In fact, most cravings pass within with 2-5 minutes.

1. EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) is emotional acupuncture without needles. This mind body finger tapping technique stimulates meridian points to balance the energy flow in our body and remove negative emotions. EFT can be done both daily and and when cravings are present. For more info. go to www.mindbodytapping.com

2. Hypnosis allows you to be more in control of your cravings. It also helps reduce the intensity & frequency of the cravings, and has additional relaxation benefits.

3. Taking some deep breaths (deep breathing) can really help you relax your way through any craving.

4. Repeat daily affirmations . Say them to yourself 10 times each morning, afternoon, and evening. I am Happy, Healthy, and smoke-free, or Everyday I choose to breathe fresh air into my lungs, or Today I am a proud and healthy non-smoker.

5. Tense up all your muscles in your body, hold for 10 seconds, then release. This technique helps take the edge off a craving or emotion. Repeat a few times if needed. You can also tense up and release your fists, arms, face, upper body, and legs one at a time.

6. Make a list of all the activities you will do instead of reaching for a cigarette. Healthy dis-tractors like reading a book, going for a walk, working in your garden, taking a deep breath, chewing gum, stretching, lifting weights, burning incense, surfing the Internet, daily exercise , meditating, doing some laundry, finding a support group, riding a bike, yoga , push-ups, a hobby, calling a friend, cleaning your teeth, writing a letter, listening to music, and drinking water.

7. Visualize yourself everyday for 2 minutes going through you day (waking up, eating, watching TV, driving coffee, working, drinking alcohol, hanging out with other smokers, feeling stressed or bored, and overcoming any situation) handling every situations as a relaxed non-smoker.

8. Daily exercise should help you release some stress. If you do not currently have an exercise regiment, start off by walking 10 minutes each day.

9. Have some healthy foods and other objects around to get you through any cravings (water, gum, cinnamon sticks, mints, sunflower seeds, fruits, carrots, flavored toothpicks, straws,stress balls you can squeeze, or worry beads).

10. Make a list of all the ways you are benefiting as a non-smoker and keep it with you at all times. (Healthier, have more energy, more confident, smell better, family is happier, in control, clearer skin, whiter teeth, life is easier).