4 Great Ways to Help a Friend Quit Smoking Cigarettes
Quitting smoking can be one of the most difficult things that an individual ever does, and that is one of the reasons why you need to support any friends who are going through that process. While your friend will be doing most of the hard work, there are some simple things that you can do to help out.
Keep Them Occupied
Keeping your friend occupied is going to be especially important immediately after they quit smoking. Those first few weeks are often the most difficult, and distracting them will help them avoid any slip-ups. Depending on how much time you can spend with them, you might want to go on a short vacation together or have them stay in your home. At the very least, you should make sure that you are staying in touch with them as much as possible.
Avoid Triggers
A trigger can be almost anything imaginable, and everyone has slightly different triggers. If your friend is open to the idea, then you might want to sit down with them and write out a list of their triggers. Once you have that list, it will be much easier for you to help them avoid any potential triggers they might run into. Some of the most common triggers include being alone, drinking, hanging out in certain places, and being around others who are smoking.
Suggest Alternatives to Cigarettes
Replacing their habit with a healthier alternative could be an effective strategy as well. If your friend has unsuccessfully tried to quit a few times in the past, then you might want to suggest that they take a closer look at nicotine-free tobacco flavored E-liquids. Those products can be used in a wide variety of devices, and they could help your friend break their physical addiction while they continue to smoke.
Help Them Manage Their Stress
Stress and smoking are often closely tied together, and many people smoke because it helps them manage their stress. Luckily, there are many different strategies that you can use to help your friend manage their stress in a safe and healthy manner. Some of the best stress relief habits include exercising, being out in nature, socializing with loved ones, and engaging in a hobby.
In addition to these few tips and tricks, you also need to remember to stay patient. Completely quitting tobacco products is never going to be easy, and it might take your friend a few attempts before they succeed.