It is a well-known fact that cigarette smoking can pose serious health risks. According to the World Health Organization, tobacco causes over 8 million deaths worldwide every year. However, your health isn’t the only thing affected when you smoke. A study published in ScienceDirect highlights the environmental impact of discarded cigarette butt globally. It is estimated that around 1.2 million tons of cigarette butts are littered each year – with most entering the ocean – causing toxic compounds to leach out into the environment.
These health and environmental concerns have prompted many to embark on a smoking cessation journey. Quitting can help your body repair the damage inflicted by cigarettes, and it can also prevent further environmental damage. If you’re on a quit-smoking journey, here’s how you can prioritize self-care and environmental sustainability while you're at it:
Identify triggers
You can experience withdrawal symptoms like irritability, difficulty sleeping, and intense cravings for cigarettes when you quit. An effective way of managing these is through cognitive behavioural therapy, which allows you to talk to an expert who can help you identify smoking triggers and offer other activities that can help distract you from craving cigarettes. Some of these activities include yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises, which all increase mindfulness and alleviate withdrawal symptoms and temptations to smoke. Pinpointing smoking triggers and countering these with healthier coping mechanisms allows you to prioritize your wellness and overall health.
Opt for smokeless alternatives
Cigarette litter can damage the environment, which is why prioritizing sustainability is an essential part of quitting. Thankfully, smokeless alternatives, including nicotine pouches, tend to be more environmentally friendly than cigarettes or vapes. Placed between the cheek and gum, LUCY nicotine pouches are tobacco-free, which means the production process doesn't contribute to tobacco-related environmental degradation. They’re also more comfortable to use compared with other pouches thanks to their moisture-enhancing properties and interesting flavors like mango and cinnamon. You can also try Nicoderm-CQ nicotine patches that you put on your skin. These patches can be used for up to 24 hours, even when you’re bathing, to reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Manage stress through aromatherapy
It might be easier to relapse into cigarette smoking when you get overwhelmed. To manage stress levels and prioritize self-care, you can try aromatherapy, which helps improve mood and facilitate relaxation. Research published in Hindawi shows that black pepper essential oil can help reduce tobacco cravings by mitigating anxiety caused by smoking withdrawal, lowering the automatic motor urge to smoke, and copying the sensorimotor sensation of smoking. You can try using natural aromatherapy along with other methods like cognitive behavioral therapy for a more effective approach to managing stress and triggers.
Try other natural remedies
Natural remedies like herbs are also a viable alternative. According to the National Institutes of Health, using herbs like St. John’s Wort and herbal tea is effective in aiding tobacco cessation. Our previous article highlighted the natural herb brand Sacred Herbal Tea and mentioned the capability of the Mellow Lungs herbal blend to help people stop smoking. Mellow Lungs consist of herbs that burn just as well as tobacco but are not as addictive, thus offering you a much less harmful alternative. The use of herbal products for smoking cessation also promotes environmental sustainability, as these remedies are produced and sourced through natural, sustainable cultivation methods that don’t use harmful chemicals.
There are various ways to quit that help prioritize self-care and the protection of the environment. Through sustainable smokeless alternatives, natural remedies, and techniques that help manage stress and triggers, you can take better care of your health and the world around you. Try these helpful tips to aid smoking cessation success while promoting sustainability.
