By now, you must be familiar with the fact that smoking is a difficult habit to break. It’s an addiction that affects millions of people around the world and overtime, it can cause serious health problems if left untreated. Quitting smoking can be tough but it’s not impossible. Of course you will have cravings for a cigarette which is one of the most common symptoms of nicotine withdrawal but that craving lasts only for that moment. The good news is that you can quit smoking for good by incorporating fitness into your life. Fitness can help you manage and get past your cravings when they hit. Exercise can distract you and keep you busy until the craving passes.
“Stop Smoking and Start Moving!”
First Understand, Then Act With Purpose!
Before you trade your smokes for a jog, it’s important that you first understand the connection between smoking and fitness. Smoking can affect your lung capacity and reduce your overall fitness levels. If you’re a smoker, you may find it difficult to engage in any physical activity because your lungs may not be able to handle the increased demands. This can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, which can further worsen your health. You might be wondering as to what a sedentary lifestyle is? A sedentary lifestyle refers to a type of lifestyle where a person engages in little or no exercise or physical activity on a regular basis. This can be characterized by prolonged periods of lying or sitting down with very little exercise or movement. Therefore, make sure you avoid following a sedentary lifestyle.
It’s Time To Get Physical!
Here are some tips to get you started with exercise and help you ride out cravings
- You need to set aside a regular time for exercise that works best with your busy schedule.
- Engage in a physical activity for at least 30 minutes, five times a week.
- Make sure you engage in activities that you enjoy such as biking, dancing, swimming, walking, or yoga. Even gardening or housework for that matter can provide exercise benefits. You can also play music while you clean out your closets. This will help you step up the pace.
- Try building exercises into other activities. For instance, you can take the stairs at the mall or at work instead of the elevator. When you go somewhere, you can park your car farther away and walk to your destination. Remember that every little step goes a long way therefore start small and gradually build up.
- Plan physical activities with co-workers, family, or friends such as a hike or volleyball game. Change your exercise routine once in a while or try a new activity from time to time so that you won’t get bored.
How Can Fitness Help You Quit Smoking?
Now that you’ve understood the tips to get you started with exercise, let’s explore how fitness can help you quit smoking for good and lead a healthier lifestyle. Fitness can help you quit smoking in several ways:
- Distracts you from cravings: Engaging yourself in physical exercise can help reduce the intensity of your cravings and take your mind off smoking.
- Reduces your stress: Exercising can be an effective way for you to manage stress, which is known to be a common trigger for smoking. Your body releases endorphins when you exercise. This helps you to feel more relaxed and it also reduces your urge to smoke.
- Improves your lung capacity: Smoking damages your lungs and decreases your lung capacity over time. You can improve your lung capacity and function when you exercise regularly. This reduces your risk of respiratory problems and makes it easier for you to breathe.
- Boosts your motivation: Exercising regularly will boost your motivation and self-discipline which will in turn make it easier for you to stick to your quit-smoking plan.
- Improves your overall health: You can improve your overall health and reduce your risk of getting chronic diseases that are associated with smoking (such as heart disease) by exercising regularly.
- Reinforces your healthy habits: If you make exercise a regular part of your routine, you can reinforce healthy habits and maintain a healthier lifestyle overall.
Fitness can be a powerful tool in helping you quit smoking. Therefore, make sure to make fitness a regular part of your life and quit smoking for good.