As any smoker or former smoker knows, quitting smoking is really hard and most people try many times before actually quitting. There are many methods available to help smokers kick the habit, including nicotine replacement therapy, drugs, support groups, hypnosis and many more.
If you have tried to quit or are trying to quit for the first time, yoga may offer some help. While yoga, or any other method, is not foolproof for quitting, there are several aspects of yoga that can help you deal with the cravings, difficulty sleeping, lack of energy and moodiness that come with quitting.
Most people fail in their attempts to quit because they can’t deal with the withdrawal symptoms and their own moods. There are physical and emotional symptoms to overcome, if you are going to be successful. This is exactly where yoga can help. The practice provides the calming and relaxation benefits for the emotional stress and the health benefits to your respiration, circulation and lungs to help combat the physical symptoms.
You can practice any type of yoga when trying to quit smoking. Choosing the type you most enjoy will provide greater mood boosting benefits. Although a general practice is effective, there are certain asanas that are said to be particularly helpful. Some to try include backbends to open the lungs and improve respiration, twists to squeeze the stress out of your body and savasana to relax the mind and body.
In addition to the asanas, the pranayama breathing in yoga is a great way to help you get past the cravings. The breathing techniques are effective for calming the mind and body, relieving stress and bringing tranquility to the body and mind. In fact, slow, deep breathing is listed in most smoking cessation literature as a proven method for getting past the cravings.
Meditation techniques can also help in your attempt to quit smoking. Even spending a few minutes in meditation is effective for getting through a difficult time, so you can avoid reaching for a cigarette. You can use any technique that works for you or try different techniques. For some people, focusing on the breath and clearing the mind helps, while others have success with visualization techniques.