International travel may or may not be a thing for the rest of 2020, but being stuck in one place is the perfect motivation to get yourself in the best shape ever. When the world finally does open back up, you will have less of a chance of getting seriously ill, and you will be able to get out there and live life to the fullest. Plus, quitting smoking will help you save even more money for that dream trip you’ve been planning for.

1. Make Sure You Know Your Motive

Having a clear, specific goal with clear, specific motives will help you keep focused. Figure out how much that next trip is going to cost, make yourself a ledger to keep track of the money you are saving, and mark how much closer each pack of cigarettes you don’t smoke gets you to your goal. 

Make a vision board for all the things you want to do when you don’t have a smoker’s cough holding you back, and be sure to give yourself both short term and long term goals. That way your motivation is tangible and not so abstract that you lose sight when you are in the thick of a craving.

2. Consider Your Options

Maybe you have tried to quit before and failed. Maybe cold turkey was just not right for you, or the patch gave you a rash, or the pills your doctor prescribed made you depressed. No worries. There are still lots of options out there, and everyone has to find what works for them. The average person could end up trying 30 times or more before finding success.

Some people appreciate the substitution method because it gives them a chance to make an adjustment, and they can still get the nicotine they crave. If you are 21 or older, non tobacco chew may be a viable consideration to help you through.

3. Get Ready To Quit

Some people just wake up one day and decide they never want another cigarette. And then that’s it. No more smoking for them. Most people are not like that, however, and it is no small feat to give up a habit that is woven into most aspects of your life. In order to accomplish such a monumental task as this, you need to treat it as such.

Set a date. Talk to your friends and family. Let them know what you need from them. If you have friends that smoke, you may want to avoid spending time with them, at least until the withdrawal starts to subside in a few months. 

Make sure they know it’s nothing they have done, it’s just that you need to do this for yourself. You never know, you may inspire some of your friends to quit too, and then you can all support each other.

4. Gather Your Supplies

On the day you decide to quit, you want to make sure you have everything you need to stay as happy as possible. You don’t want to be pacing your apartment dying for a cigarette with nothing to comfort you while you struggle. 

Get yourself some healthy snacks like crunchy fruits and veggies. Make sure you have items that make you feel good to get that dopamine release that you’re missing from not smoking.

Green tea is restorative, healing, and calming, and it is a known weight regulator. Have some on hand to drink when you need to relax. Black pepper essential oil helps reduce cigarette cravings and mimics the respiratory response of smoking. You can put a drop on a tissue and inhale when you’re going crazy for a smoke.

5. Be Ready to Fight Those Cravings For About Three Months

Maybe by the time the worldwide lockdowns are over, you’ll be over your habit and ready to take that 12-hour flight smoke-free. Remember that most cigarette cravings only last about 15-20 minutes. While they may keep coming in waves, each one will get you one closer to having them less. Be kind to yourself and keep at it. Even if you relapse, it is not too late to get back on the wagon. 

6. Do Things That Increase Your Dopamine Levels

Smoking triggers a dopamine release and your brain eventually starts depending on your habit to know when to pump the feel-good hormone out. You can combat that by doing things that naturally boost your output. 

  • Exercise gets your heart going and helps you feel better in the moment and the long-term.
  • Talking to a friend gets you smiling and helps you get the support you need. It also provides a distraction.
  • Laughing increases dopamine levels and makes you smile.
  • Meditation helps you relax and stay in the moment.
  • Massages … hello what doesn’t a massage do to make everything better?

Final Thoughts

Summer 2020 may have you feeling glum, but there is no better time than the present to kick your smoking habit to the curb once and for all. Take this time at home to make yourself feel the best you ever have, and get yourself in great shape. Save your money and plan your next big trip. When it is finally time to get out and see the world again, you’ll be more than ready!