The most uncomfortable days for an ex-smoker is having to bear the withdrawal and recovery symptoms. The body goes through a number of abnormal reactions after quitting smoking. This happens because the body gets used to maintaining a certain level of nicotine. Nicotine effects also create a constant craving for cigarettes.
Experts suggest that the best way to give up smoking is to cultivate alternative activities in the form of hobbies. There are a number of healthy hobbies an ex-smoker can engage in and that will distract the person’s attention from smoking.
The psychological dependence on smoking is 90% and physical dependence is 10% for ex-smokers. Hobbies can channelize an ex-smokers thought towards healthier activities that can help reduce his or her dependence on nicotine.
Hobbies after Quitting Smoking
Some hobbies you can put your total mind and self to include the following:
Physical Motivators or Hobbies:
- Exercise
- Go for brisk walks
- Swimming
- Develop the habit of writing poems or read novels
- Develop some cooking skills
- Learn a foreign language
- Watch a movie
- Practice deep breathing to cope with the urge to smoke
- Drink plenty of water to cope with the urge to smoke
- Inform your friends and family that you have quit and to help you as often to retain the habit of not smoking
- Get enough rest and peace of mind by planning an outdoor trip
- Use nicotine replacement therapies to curb your urges to smoke
Emotional Motivators:
- Keep motivating yourself to quit smoking
- Try seeing yourself as a non-smoker
- Learn to say no to cigarettes
- Think positive
Cultivating new and healthy habits can help you manage your nicotine withdrawal and recovery symptoms effectively. So bid your anxiety, sleeplessness and loneliness goodbye by developing these hobbies after quitting smoking.
