Practicing Yoga for Smoking Cessation

Tobacco smoking is a severe health threat that damages people’s lives worldwide. As pointed out by a study from Frontiers Psychiatry, many people attempt to quit the harmful habit. However, only 4% of quit attempts are successful without professional support. In most cases, smokers struggle to quit due to withdrawal symptoms due to missing nicotine from cigarettes. These often leave smokers with endless thoughts and physical cravings that tempt them to smoke again, often leading to failure.

While there are several recommended methods of quitting, research has shown that smokers can tap into the underlying neural mechanisms that help individuals overcome nicotine dependence— all through yoga and aerobic exercise. The study above found that yoga can go a long way in supporting smoking cessation efforts, making it all the more important to practice. Here, we explore some benefits of practicing yoga for smoking cessation and what other practices smokers can take to quit for good:

Distraction from withdrawal symptoms

Yoga practice, specifically mindfulness and meditation techniques, can help smokers overcome withdrawal symptoms. When breathwork is done, smokers develop a heightened awareness of their body and mind, calming themselves of negative thoughts and cravings. In addition to controlling their cigarette reliance, yoga improves their breathing— opening air pathways otherwise blocked by smoke residue and boosting physical health.

Build a support network

Yoga is an experience shared with many, enabling smokers to connect with others with similar interests. From there, smokers can build a support network to keep themselves accountable for their quitting habits. If smokers feel that quiet yoga isn’t for them, we recommend visiting Drunk Yoga® to check out our offerings. Not only is it beginner-friendly, but these sessions offer drinks, be it wine or coffee, to help curate a joyful and immersive experience alongside uplifting games and clever icebreakers.

Other therapies that boost smoking cessation

Yoga can be very effective in helping smokers, but combining it with other smoking cessation efforts is the best way to ensure quit success. Listed below are two other therapies that can help quit smoking:

Nicotine replacement therapy

As mentioned, one of the biggest challenges when quitting is facing cigarette withdrawal— leading to people relapsing into their old habits. Many health professionals recommend undergoing nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to prevent this. Through NRT, smokers use products that supply low doses of nicotine into their bodies, helping them wean off their physical dependence.

One well-known product for NRT is nicotine lozenges, as these are typically available over the counter. The Perrigo Company has recently offered 2mg and 4mg versions of mint flavor lozenges, enabling users to treat their condition proactively. For consumers interested in other flavors, it’s worth considering nicotine pouches. Online retailer Prilla.com offers a vast selection of nicotine pouch brands that come in flavors like mint, citrus, cinnamon, and coffee. Furthermore, these are available for delivery across most areas in the US and allow customers to pay via secure payment methods, including VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discovery, or Diners— all encrypted using SafeCharge. Given the convenience and availability of these NRT products, smokers can start engaging in NRT almost immediately to get them on the right track.

Behavioral Therapy

Another well-established way of quitting smoking is to participate in behavioral therapy. Tobacco use often carries symptoms and struggles beyond physical symptoms, so having therapy or counseling through professionals can help combat the mental challenges of quitting, such as depression. As highlighted by the APA.org, psychologists may be more helpful than primary-care providers for more complex cases as there is greater ongoing involvement. Psychologists in behavioral therapy are also equipped to provide brief motivational interviewing-based interventions, helping them better interact with and understand smokers.

For some people, yoga is enough to help them overcome the struggles of quitting, but some may need to rely on NRT or behavioral therapy to help them through the challenge. By staying consistent with these helpful smoking cessation methods, cigarette users can quit for good and live healthier lives.