When you explain to a smoker how bad smoking is for their health it is not likely to have the impact you might hope for.
Most smokers are well-informed and completely aware that it is a bad habit, due to the wide range of ways that smoking impacts their health negatively.
But, smoking is an addiction and addictions are extremely difficult to shake, due to power that a neurotransmitter known as dopamine has on our minds.
Despite the power of addiction, every smoker contemplates quitting at one time or another. Everyone is different, and therefore, everyone’s reason and inspiration for finally putting down their cigarettes will be different.
According to the American Lung Association, the most common reasons people give for quitting include the following:
- Health
- Cost
- Convenience
- Impact of second-hand smoke on family and friends
- Quality of life
How to Quit Smoking
There are numerous places you can turn for support in order to quit smoking. Of course, your family and friends can be very important. Experts can help by imparting their wisdom and giving you tools that can help you attain success.
Medications, such as nicotine patches and gum, can be particularly useful at the beginning of your smoking cessation journey.
Did you know there is one alternative health remedy that can also guide you along the way to being smoke-free? Aromatherapy may be your secret weapon for coping with cravings and knarly withdrawal symptoms.
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy entails the use of scents or aromas (that are the byproduct of plant oils) to improve your spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional well-being. People use aromatherapy for a variety of conditions including the following:
- Stress
- Sleep
- Headaches
- Chronic pain
- Relaxation
- Fatigue
- Digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Let’s take a closer look at how it works:
Aromatherapy and Smoking: How it Works
Aromatherapy is a way of dispersing essential oils, either through topical application or inhalation, to gain the health benefit of the oil. Aromatherapy has many advantages including the following:
Emotional Wellness Support
Smoking cessation can be an emotional experience. If you don’t learn new ways to cope with stress, it can put your ability to remain smoke-free to the test. You need to learn how to relax and navigate challenging situations without a cigarette.
Aromatherapy can help you in your quest to establish a sense of balance. It can improve the way you interact with others during this time by helping you to regulate some of the difficult emotions you will undoubtedly experience.
The best oils for emotional wellness include the following:
- Bergamot oil
- Patchouli oil
- Lemon oil
- Frankincense oil
- Rose oil
Deliver Mental Clarity and Focus
Aromatherapy can help you to gain focus and mental clarity during the early phases of withdrawal from an addiction such as smoking. The best oils for focus and concentration include the following:
- Frankincense oil
- Sandalwood oil
- Patchouli oil
- Clary sage oil
- Ylang Ylang oil
Management of the Physical Side Effects of Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms can disrupt your sense of physical wellbeing. Inexplicable aches and pains such as joint pain, backaches and headaches can erupt, putting your body through the wringer.
Aromatherapy massages can deliver a sense of relief. The best oils for muscle relief and massages include the following:
- Eucalyptus oil
- Rosemary oil
- German and Roman chamomile oil
- Evening primrose oil
- Lavender oil
- Clary sage
In summary, aromatherapy can help you stop smoking. The essential oils used for aromatherapy contain properties that help you mitigate the physical and emotional side effects that can otherwise trigger a relapse.
Aromatherapy is not a magical cure for smoking cessation, but it can be a fantastic, holistic approach to overcoming cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
