tips to quit smoking while pregnant
Tips to Quit Smoking While Pregnant
Smoking is one of the most harmful addictions, and you must put in extra efforts to quit, especially if you are pregnant. Learn some safe ways to quit smoking while pregnant, in this article.
- Visualize the Baby- Think of your baby when you get an impulse to smoke. Pregnancy is one of the best phases of a woman's life and every woman dreams of giving birth to a healthy baby. As seen in the earlier paragraph, smoking is so hazardous for your baby's health, so stop smoking at least for your baby's sake.
- Go Cold Turkey- Another method is giving up smoking completely at one go. This is often referred as the cold turkey method. This method can be tough for some as it involves giving up cigarettes completely. In this method, you are supposed to throw away all your cigarette packs, ashtrays and lighters. This technique demands strong willpower, and if you are a heavy smoker you could experience some withdrawal symptoms like depression and stress.
- Stay Happy- Pregnancy is a happy phase and you should enjoy this phase, so don't let any kind of stress bother you as stress is an open invitation to a cigarette and other health ailments.
- Manage Your Surroundings- It's always better to announce your plans to quit smoking to all your friends and acquaintances, because it's like a commitment. You should feel free to ask them to not to smoke when you are around as you might get an urge to smoke. Passive smoking is also very harmful.
- Don't Give Up- Even if you experience symptoms like depression and cannot control that craving for a cigar, don't give up. Instead engage yourself in some other activity, so that your mind is diverted.
- Train Your Mind- The mind is an amazing machine, with immense power. Fix it in your mind that you wouldn't give in to the cigarette urge, your mind has powers to help you control the craving.
- Prepare a Notebook- Jot down in a notebook all the reasons on why you have to stop smoking. Also write the harmful effects of smoking in this notebook. If you get an urge to smoke, go through this notebook, your interest would automatically diminish.
- Enjoy the Benefits of a Healthy Life- Your decision to quit smoking means, you have chosen to live a healthy life. Be positive about your decision and enjoy the new lifestyle. You can also join a good pregnancy class where you would find like-minded friends. Deep breathing exercises are also very good for relieving stress and makes one strong.
- Be Strong- Don't let cigarettes become your weakness. You should be strong enough to live without any addiction. It will also give you a feeling of satisfaction that you can live life without the puff.
- Use Nicotine Alternatives- This one is the least recommended tip, but you can go for it in extreme cases. Giving up smoking can be a tough task, especially if you are into this habit for years. But now the demand of time is that you quit it completely and immediately. If on some occasion, the urge is very strong, you can indulge in some nicotine replacements like a nicotine chewing gum. But remember that you should have the replacements only if the urge is very strong.