5 Useful Tips on Quitting Smoking
You’ve probably already heard enough of smoking and the numerous amounts of problems and pain this nasty habit can cause. The most interesting part about smoking is that nicotine is a drug with analgesic properties, meaning pain-killing properties, yet it’s a habit that ends up causing you more pain than relief. In short, smoking causes pain. 
A study performed in 2012 analyzed over 5,000 people who were undergoing treatment for spinal disorders for a total of eight months. The study concluded that those who did not smoke or had quit some time ago experienced less back pain than those who were smoking or have recently just quit. The results of the study should be no surprise.
Not only is smoking linked to back pain, it is also linked to many other problems including:
- Strokes
- Artery clogs
- Diminished memory skills
- Autoimmune disorders (i.e. lupus)
- SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Blindness
- Acid reflux (i.e. heartburn)
- Thyroid disease
- Cancer (i.e. lung, colon, breast)
- Depression
Here are the simple tips on quitting smoking we’ll give you to kick a habit that has claimed the lives of many.
Focus on the Negatives
A great way to do this is to compile a list of reasons why you dislike or hate smoking. We already helped you out by listing the many problems you face as a daily smoker. The more thorough this list is, the better. After you’ve come up with this list, attach it to a calendar and begin to mark out the days as they go by. When you start seeing a fully marked calendar, you’ll start to feel really proud of yourself.
Stay Busy
Temptation will hit you hardest when you aren’t doing much, or when you’re bored. There are plenty of alternatives to smoking that can replace the habit, without compromising your health. Chewing gum is one example, exercise is another. If you’re accustomed to taking a ‘smoke break’ at work, then you need to replace this habit with something else. Perhaps drinking tea or coffee is a viable alternative. Or maybe playing a mindless game on your phone.
Speak Up
Let the people you care about in your life know that you have quit smoking are planning on quitting on a set date. The more people you let know, the more motivation you will have. The last thing you want is to shame your own family and friends by getting back into the habit. You will look weak to them. These people can help keep you in check and grill you even harder when you feel like stepping back into the habit.
Save Money
If you’re aware of how much money you have been spending to keep the habit alive then you could try this motivation tool. Get a jar or anything that you can store your money in and fill it up with money that would’ve have been spent on smoking. When you start seeing the fruits of your labor in front of your own eyes, then you’ll really start to see how much money you’re actually saving, which could now be used to buy that new item you’ve been seeking.
Mind Over Matter
At the end of the day, you’re going to need some serious willpower. There’s no magical trick to kicking the habit. Your mind is the only trick, as it will try and persuade you to keep the habit alive. Show your mind that you’re the one in control. Impress your friends and even yourself by successfully quitting.
If you believe your smoking habit is responsible for any back pain you may be feeling, then head over to our Los Angeles back pain website to read what back pain is and how it can be treated successfully.