Quit Smoking and Health Care

Going 12 or more hours without a smoke is no laughing matter to someone addicted to cigarettes. In that time period, smokers may experience withdrawal symptoms that can take all the fun out of those cheap tickets they booked to a dream destination. If you’re a smoker, here are 5 ways to get through that flight with minimal cravings.

1. Get a good night’s rest beforehand. Starting a travel day well-rested is the key to having a less stressful flight. Get all details taken care of early so you’re not rushing around the night before your trip working yourself into a tizzy.

2. Get nicotine gum or patches. This is a matter of personal preference. You can pop the gum as needed, or have a steady supply of nicotine from a patch. But don’t do both: it is possible and dangerous to overdose on nicotine.

3. Don’t drink at the airport or on the plane. For many people smoking and drinking go together. Many smokers find that drinking is a trigger that sets off a strong craving for nicotine. Remove the drinking and you have one less possible trigger.

4. Consider a sleep aid. If you go with a prescription sleep aid, try it out at home before your trip. People react differently to them. You don’t want to try out a new sleep aid on a plane only to find out it amps you up rather than mellowing you out. You might try an over-the-counter sleep aid like Benadryl, Dramamine, or melatonin instead.

5. Do a trial run. Once you know you’ll have X number of hours without a smoke, do a trial run at home. Use the gum, patches, and maybe a nap to make sure you can get through that time period without major nicotine cravings. This will boost your confidence on the day of your flight.

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For decades, companies have used cubicles to give workers a degree of privacy while still encouraging interaction. Work-based friendships often revolve around various workplace routines, including smoke breaks. But what if you want to quit smoking? Do you have to give up your smoking buddies along with tobacco? Here are 5 ways you can quit smoking without damaging relationships at work.

1. Be prepared for a bit of loneliness or even backlash. It may be lonely to miss smoke breaks, and some coworkers may feel a bit chastised by your determination to kick the habit. This will pass as you develop other routines to replace smoke breaks.

2. Keep lines of communication going. Let your smoking coworkers know you’re not giving up their friendship just because you’re quitting smoking. Tell them that although you’ll be their number one supporter if they decide to quit, you’ll respect their choices regardless.

3. Provide distractions. Whether it’s a book, a handheld gaming system, or fun apps on your phone, give yourself something to occupy your mind and your hands when you would otherwise be smoking.

4. Plan to get together with coworkers in non-smoking situations. Perhaps you could start a new tradition of lunch out once a week (at a non-smoking restaurant), or participate together in a company-league sports team.

5. Consider getting a small air purifier. Office cubicles sometimes retain smoke odors that come in on the clothes of smokers. An air purifier in your cubicle will help eliminate these smells and the temptations they may bring to light up again.

Quitting smoking when your work friends smoke is hard. But if you have a plan, you’ll not only succeed in giving up an unhealthy habit, but retain your friendships as well. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even inspire others to quit smoking too!