Are you one of the millions of people buzzing to travel again, eagerly waiting for your departure date? As you write your packing list and get yourself beach ready, are there items you are choosing to leave out this year? How about cigarettes?
Congratulations if you have recently quit smoking! Did you know that cigarette butts have been the most commonly found trash on beaches for over 30 years? On beach clean ups, it is cigarettes we find the most as people believe it’s OK to bury them in the sand. It is not! Birds and fish mistake them for food, they are a toxic pollutant, do not biodegrade and litter our oceans for centuries.
You may have chosen to ditch the cigarettes, but are probably still faced with many temptations, especially if you are visiting a country where tobacco is cheap! However, planning your trip accordingly will help you manage your urges.
Feet Do Travel want to support you in remaining smoke free during your travel, so here is our 5 item checklist to help you.
Congratulations if you have recently quit smoking! Did you know that cigarette butts have been the most commonly found trash on beaches for over 30 years? On beach clean ups, it is cigarettes we find the most as people believe it’s OK to bury them in the sand. It is not! Birds and fish mistake them for food, they are a toxic pollutant, do not biodegrade and litter our oceans for centuries.
You may have chosen to ditch the cigarettes, but are probably still faced with many temptations, especially if you are visiting a country where tobacco is cheap! However, planning your trip accordingly will help you manage your urges.
Feet Do Travel want to support you in remaining smoke free during your travel, so here is our 5 item checklist to help you.
Mints are a great way to stop your smoking cravings when you travel
1. Pack sugar-free mints and lollipops
Sugar-free mints and lollipops can be used to keep you from smoking again. These help prevent cravings you may experience while on the trip, but can also help with any withdrawal symptoms you’ll encounter.
These products help because they bind to receptors in your body, reducing your craving for cigarettes.
There are also prescription medications you can take to quell your cravings while you’re on the trip. Ask your local doctor about a nicotine prescription before you travel.
Sugar-free mints and lollipops can be used to keep you from smoking again. These help prevent cravings you may experience while on the trip, but can also help with any withdrawal symptoms you’ll encounter.
These products help because they bind to receptors in your body, reducing your craving for cigarettes.
There are also prescription medications you can take to quell your cravings while you’re on the trip. Ask your local doctor about a nicotine prescription before you travel.
Take a travel journal with you to record your progress, and plan activities when you're away
2. Take a travel journal or stress ball
When you were smoking, your hands were occupied by a cigarette. However, now that you’ve stopped, you may feel as though you’re missing something in your hand, which causes anxiety.
Writing in a travel journal will help you keep track of your progress as you try to stay away from cigarettes. It can also help you prioritise the trip and document your exciting activities. Having a stress ball in your hand can also help curb your cravings, especially during times when you feel anxious and want a cigarette.
Keeping your hands busy with a travel journal and a stress ball will help you relax and control your cravings. Smoking urges will always pass, so keep calm and play with your stress ball.
When you were smoking, your hands were occupied by a cigarette. However, now that you’ve stopped, you may feel as though you’re missing something in your hand, which causes anxiety.
Writing in a travel journal will help you keep track of your progress as you try to stay away from cigarettes. It can also help you prioritise the trip and document your exciting activities. Having a stress ball in your hand can also help curb your cravings, especially during times when you feel anxious and want a cigarette.
Keeping your hands busy with a travel journal and a stress ball will help you relax and control your cravings. Smoking urges will always pass, so keep calm and play with your stress ball.
If you are struggling to stay smoke free when on holiday, speak to your support network!
3. Have an emotional support team on speed dial
It has been proven that having a support system while managing any previous addiction is hugely important. If you want to quit cigarettes for good, having people to talk to is key, especially if you’ll be away for a while on your trip. Your support team can either be friends, family, or even people you’ve met on your journey.
Every time you’re craving a cigarette and feel like you’re losing the battle, call on your support system for advice or to help distract you while your craving passes.
Some people in your support circle may also be previous smokers, so speak to them as their experience could be invaluable.
It has been proven that having a support system while managing any previous addiction is hugely important. If you want to quit cigarettes for good, having people to talk to is key, especially if you’ll be away for a while on your trip. Your support team can either be friends, family, or even people you’ve met on your journey.
Every time you’re craving a cigarette and feel like you’re losing the battle, call on your support system for advice or to help distract you while your craving passes.
Some people in your support circle may also be previous smokers, so speak to them as their experience could be invaluable.
Healthy snacks like nuts will calm cravings and keep your mouth occupied
4. Pack some healthy snacks
Healthy snacks like dried fruits, dried seeds and nuts can help you fight your cravings as you travel. They keep your mouth occupied, and the sugar rush from healthy foods can also help calm your urges.
You can also purchase yogurt products with fruit inside which are a healthy treat. Yogurt contains protein, calcium and very nourishing gut probiotics. Jerky products are great if you eat meat, and are a good source of protein for your diet whilst you travel.
Keep your head up high and stay disciplined on your trip. You may meet people travelling to Australia with vaping products, but they often contain some nicotine and if you want to be smoke free, it’s best to stick to non-nicotine alternatives.
Healthy snacks like dried fruits, dried seeds and nuts can help you fight your cravings as you travel. They keep your mouth occupied, and the sugar rush from healthy foods can also help calm your urges.
You can also purchase yogurt products with fruit inside which are a healthy treat. Yogurt contains protein, calcium and very nourishing gut probiotics. Jerky products are great if you eat meat, and are a good source of protein for your diet whilst you travel.
Keep your head up high and stay disciplined on your trip. You may meet people travelling to Australia with vaping products, but they often contain some nicotine and if you want to be smoke free, it’s best to stick to non-nicotine alternatives.
Create a travel playlist of your favourite songs to keep you distracted
5. Create your own travel playlist
Creating and listening to a travel playlist can help you keep your mind off smoking and cigarettes. Take your time to curate the best songs for your trip and listen to the songs every time you’re having a hard time, or if the people in your support circle aren’t immediately available to help you.
Find some quiet time for yourself to relax while you listen to music, maybe even try some meditation. You’ll be able to evaluate how far you’ve come in your non-smoking journey. This can also be an opportunity for you to find the right motivation to stay away from smoking.
Creating and listening to a travel playlist can help you keep your mind off smoking and cigarettes. Take your time to curate the best songs for your trip and listen to the songs every time you’re having a hard time, or if the people in your support circle aren’t immediately available to help you.
Find some quiet time for yourself to relax while you listen to music, maybe even try some meditation. You’ll be able to evaluate how far you’ve come in your non-smoking journey. This can also be an opportunity for you to find the right motivation to stay away from smoking.
Conclusion
Don’t let your cravings beat you when you are on your holiday. By using these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy your travels and stay smoke free, no matter how strong the cravings may be.
Remember to be easy on yourself. Keep eating healthy snacks and don’t forget to use your journal and support system every time you’re experiencing difficulties. Later on, you’ll see just how far you’ve come on your journey. Just remain disciplined and remember why you quit in the first place, you can do this!!
Don’t let your cravings beat you when you are on your holiday. By using these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy your travels and stay smoke free, no matter how strong the cravings may be.
Remember to be easy on yourself. Keep eating healthy snacks and don’t forget to use your journal and support system every time you’re experiencing difficulties. Later on, you’ll see just how far you’ve come on your journey. Just remain disciplined and remember why you quit in the first place, you can do this!!
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