Want To Stop Smoking? This Is The Most Effective Method You Can Try

The start of a new year is one of the most popular times for people to think about quitting smoking, and while it may be difficult, it's not impossible. 

Sure an impressive 600,000 Irish people have quit smoking since 2011. Why not join them? If you desperately want to be smoke free but aren't sure where to start, there's one particular method that has been proven to be the most effective.

People are three and a half times more likely to quit by using a combo of nicotine replacement therapy and prescription only medicine 

The Journal reports that the most effective method of all is using gum, patches or sprays to replace the nicotine you crave alongside taking Varenicline, a prescription medicine that decreases withdrawal symptoms as well as reducing your enjoyment of actually smoking.

Quit.ie has heaps of great advice on how to quit (plus lots of motivating facts like the info that you could save over €2,000 by the end of the year if you quit now) or pop into your GP who will recommend a plan that works best for you.

Learning how to deal with cravings:

A strong craving lasts for 3 -5 minutes and then will pass, so learn the 4 D's...

• Delay for a few minutes and the urge will go away.
• Distract yourself keep as busy as you can to stop you thinking of the cigarette.
• Drink water, juice, have a piece of fruit or a hard boiled sweet to replace the 'hand to mouth' habit of smoking.
• Breathe deeply, slowly breathing out to help you relax.

G'wan. You can do it.