5 Tips To Successfully Stop Chewing Tobacco

Cigarette smoking is injurious to health! We’ve all heard that before, but what about chewing tobacco? Chewing smokeless tobacco products, although less talked about, is just as bad as smoking if not more. Rather than being inhaled, smokeless tobacco is consumed orally and has been in use for as long as other forms of tobacco consumption.

* Make a Plan

The first step to help you quit chewing tobacco is to unclutter your mind, set short-term as well as long-term targets, and formulate a solid plan to achieve them. For instance, pick a concrete date to quit, which can be about a month or two in the future. This will give you time to prepare yourself emotionally and physically for the cleansing process that lies ahead.

* Avoid the Triggers

Once your plan is in motion, you need to avoid the triggers that can throw you off your path to quitting tobacco. Everyone has triggers that cause them to fall back on bad habits like chewing tobacco. So, knowing your triggers and eliminating them from your life will help in your mission.

* Keep Your Mouth Busy

People who have been in the habit of chewing tobacco for many years usually miss the comfort of chewing something inside their mouth. So, look for ways to keep your mouth busy. Many find that having something else to chew helps quell withdrawal cravings, making the quitting process far easier. So, to keep your mouth engaged, you can chew sugarless gum, suck on sugarless hard candies, or eat cloves, sunflower seeds, licorice sticks, carrots, and celery sticks. You can even carry some fresh or dry fruits handy.

* Use Nicotine Replacement Therapy

One effective tool in dealing with the withdrawal symptoms once you swear off using smokeless tobacco is nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Nicotine replacement therapy is, in general, well tolerated and has minimal adverse effects for those who wish to quit smoking and chewing tobacco.

* Practice Deep Breathing

You can try deep breathing to fight nicotine withdrawal symptoms, such as strong cravings, anxiety, and restlessness. The practice of deep breathing also improves the low mood that people often experience upon quitting.