Health is an intangible value in a society as convulsed as the current one; taking care of it and doing everything possible to have a lifestyle that guarantees a good physical condition is an obligation. However, when a person decides to put tobacco aside and start a healthy life, it becomes a challenge that generates stress and anxiety and even requires certain therapies to achieve that goal.
The body is completely different in each person and reacts in different ways, especially to radical changes such as cutting an addiction. There are individuals who do not need help to quit smoking, but for others, a change like this can cause them anguish. Today we want to recommend some options that you can apply if you are planning to take this important step:
- Manage withdrawal with specialists
- Perform physical activity
- Do yoga and meditation exercises
- Alternative therapies
What kind of alternative therapies can I use to stop smoking?
Scientifically, quitting smoking reduces the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular accidents, helps you prevent lung cancer, has better circulation in your body, and decreases carbon monoxide levels in the blood. Therefore, it is extremely important to look for an option that gives you the best result.
The most common methods used by people when they decide to quit are using patches, chewing gum, or smoking electronic cigarettes. However, there are other alternatives, such as acupuncture, hypnosis, and reiki. Available with excellent results.
- Acupuncture: this can help you reduce the symptoms of abstinence and balance the body's energy because it stimulates some points where endorphin is released and, therefore, reduces anxiety and bad mood associated with the process of quitting smoking.
- Hypnotherapy: this technique uses hypnosis to access the subconscious and change certain patterns of thought and behavior. It is important that you work with a therapist to help you explore the causes of your tobacco addiction.
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy: This method uses products such as patches, inhalers, and nasal sprays that deliver nicotine into the body without the harmful effects of tobacco.
- Reiki: It is a Japanese technique for channeling and transmitting energy, used to reduce stress and can help you reduce anxiety levels when you have made the decision to quit smoking.
Why is tobacco addictive, and what damage does it cause to your body?
Tobacco is not a good friend for humans; the smoke it produces has many chemical substances that are mostly toxic to the body, including nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar, and ammonia.
The question that many ask themselves is the following one: if people know that it is so dangerous, why do they keep consuming it? The answer to this has a chemical argument, and it is because nicotine acts in the body as a stimulant of the central nervous system, generating a psychological dependence that is difficult to overcome.
However, the damages to health are so significant that if you smoke or have someone close to you with this dependency, you should recommend him or her stop this bad habit. Here are some of those negative effects on your body:
- Increases the amount of cholesterol and unhealthy fat
- It destroys the small air sacs in the lungs that allow oxygen exchange
- It raises blood pressure and increases the work of the heart
- It causes physical changes in the eyes that can put your vision at risk
Health is an aspect that we often do not value, especially when we are young. At BMI, we aim to promote habits that allow our clients, collaborators, and the general public to have a good state of health. We encourage exercise, a good diet, and periodic check-ups that allow constant monitoring or early detection of a possible disease.
If you have a smoker in your family or have even decided to take the first step and don't know how to start, we recommend the website smokefree Created by the National Cancer Institute to provide resources and support to Hispanic smokers in the United States, there you will find valuable information that will be useful to you.
