If you think about quit smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol with the of recreation, that’s probably one of the best decisions you’ve ever made. Cigarettes and alcohol provide immediate pleasure, but in the long run, they cause significant damage to your health and well-being.
You might struggle until you find a method that works. Doing something to take your mind off cigarettes and alcohol can help, and we suggest a range of recreational activities to fill your time, so you won’t think of these bad habits.
The Negative Effects of Smoking and Drinking
Knowing how smoking and drinking affect your well-being might be a good motivation to quit. The harmful effects on your health are numerous, and while some may be mild, others can be harsh and life-threatening. Also, let’s not negate the bad influence these habits can have on your social life and finances.
Health Problems Associated with Alcohol and Cigarettes
Smoking damages the respiratory tract and organs. Nicotine affects the lungs’ elasticity, reducing their capacity and triggering a range of conditions from mild breathing issues to pulmonary emphysema. Also, smoke toxins have been identified as the primary cause of lung cancer.
Drinking alcohol harms your liver by affecting its metabolic function. In the case of prolonged alcohol abuse in amounts higher than two glasses a day, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis can occur.
Smoking and alcohol consumption affect your skin because they interfere with the production of collagen and elastin. The result is dry, damaged, and cracked skin and premature aging.
Both nicotine and alcohol damage blood vessels, which slows blood flow and increases blood pressure. If left untreated, it leads to heart problems. Men who smoke and drink every day can also face erectile dysfunction.
Social and Financial Consequences of Alcohol and Cigarettes
Most smokers and drinkers are people with life issues who seek comfort in cigarettes and alcohol. They do that thinking it’ll help them overcome difficulties. The harsh truth is that these vices worsen their social and economic status.
You might use cigarettes and alcohol as a conversation starter, to relax and spend time with others. However, with excessive use, you can achieve the opposite effect, especially when you drink alcohol.
Too many drinks can affect your mind, making you irresponsible, unaccountable, and generally less desirable to socialize with. While nicotine has no proven effect on reasoning and logical thinking, alcohol can disrupt your perception. In the long run, it can lead to breakups and divorces, loss of job, house, or money, and even violent or criminal behavior.
As for the financial aspect, daily alcohol consumption and smoking can be a significant burden on your budget. You can end up spending more than you should on these bad habits.
The Benefits of Avoiding Alcohol and Cigarettes
If you manage to quit smoking and limit drinking to sensible amounts, you can enjoy a range of benefits:
- The risk of a multitude of diseases drops significantly.
- Your skin, hair, and teeth will look better.
- As your lung capacity and blood flow improve, you’ll feel less tired and have more energy.
- Your immune system will become stronger.
- Your brain will “reset,” and you’ll notice improvements in your memory, learning abilities, problem-solving, and focus.
- You won’t have bad breath and an odd smell on your hair and clothes.
Recreational Activities That Do Not Involve Alcohol and Cigarettes
Quitting alcohol and cigarettes is a process. You need help and support to succeed, and even some aid like nicotine replacement therapy. But the key to success is determination. Also, you can manage these difficulties by implementing some new habits instead.
Sports and Outdoor Activities
If you dedicate yourself to sports and outdoor activities to quit smoking and drinking, your health and well-being will improve. It may be difficult at first as you might feel shortness of breath and tire easily, but your shape will get better over time.
Also, you’ll resist the urge to consume alcohol and cigarettes as your mind will be distracted with new, healthier activities. And when there’s no nicotine or alcohol, your body starts to self-heal. If you add physical activity and fresh air to that process, healing will be faster and withdrawal symptoms won’t be harsh.
For starters, if you’re out of shape, you can just walk more. When you feel ready to become physically active, you can try some of these activities:
1. Hiking: Going for a walk or hike in nature will help you clear up your lungs, vessels, and mind.
2. Biking: If walking is a bit too much, getting on two wheels can be easier but equally effective.
3. Swimming: Besides improving your lung capacity, swimming can boost body detoxification and help you get rid of toxins faster.
4. Running: You don’t have to run a Boston Marathon, but jogging a couple of times a week will shake up your muscles and tire you (in a good way), so you won’t crave cigarettes and alcohol.
5. Team sports: Hanging around with a group of non-smokers in a basketball game is an excellent way to distract your mind from smoking and drinking.
Creative Activities
If you’re not a sports type, you can find other activities to do and replace bad habits. You can be creative in many ways and do whatever you have a passion for. These creative activities are a good example:
- Painting and drawing:
Holding a pencil or a brush instead of a drink or cigarette is an excellent way to distract you from cravings and withdrawal symptoms. - Writing: If you’ve always had a book idea, now is a good time to put it in writing. Or you can start a journal or a blog about whatever you want, even your quitting process.
- Playing music: Favorite music can heal your soul and mind, so let it play while you just chill, relax, or dance.
- Craftwork: If you’re skilled in craftwork, you can spend more time doing your favorite hobby or joining a workshop or a course.
Social Activities That Don’t Involve Drinking and Smoking
When you decide to quit smoking and drinking, you should move away from everything that has triggered these urges. Surround yourself with people who don’t smoke and drink moderately (or not at all), and engage in activities that don’t involve drinking and smoking.
Plan a casual gathering with those who support your decision to quit. These activities can be good ways to socialize:
1. Board games: Chess, Monopoly, Dungeons & Dragons – the list of board games for hours of fun instead of smoking and drinking is endless.
2. Dancing: Joining dance lessons is a nice way to meet new people and do something exciting rather than succumb to nicotine and alcohol.
3. Movie nights: A bowl of popcorn instead of a cigarette or a glass of drink is a much healthier way to cope with the tension during the movie.
4. Cooking or baking together:
Making a delicacy with your partner or kids is an excellent way to take your mind off bad habits and spend some quality time together.
Tips for Avoiding Alcohol and Cigarettes while Participating in Recreational Activities
Engaging in recreational activities might take your mind off smoking and drinking, but you still have to make an extra effort to resist the urge. There will probably be a lot of temptation, so you have to find a way to deal with them.
How to Find and Participate in Alcohol and Smoke-Free Activities
Whatever you do while quitting smoking and drinking, you should avoid triggers at all costs. Be open to suggestions, but do most of the research job yourself, as you know works best for you.
Searching Online for Local Groups and Events
Use a plethora of Internet sources to find local help groups, events, and workshops for people dealing with all kinds of addiction. This is where you can find unexpected help and motivation, but also meet people who might inspire you to endure your decision to quit smoking and drinking.
Asking Friends and Family for Suggestions
When you show interest in doing something to distract you from smoking and drinking, let others know about your decision. They might have advice and helpful suggestions and even join you.
Joining a Gym or Fitness Class
Exercising reduces cravings and stress in your body when you don’t drink or smoke anymore. When you sweat it out surrounded by others who lead a healthy lifestyle, you won’t think of cigarettes and drinks. Just in case, to prevent the urge, have nicotine replacement therapy (gum or patch) and a bottle of water on hand.
Using Apps and Online Resources to Track Progress and Find New Activities
There are many handy online tools to keep up with your progress. These can be apps that follow your water intake, number of steps, fitness routine, etc. By setting an account and entering your parameters, you can also find many helpful suggestions on other activities you can try after quitting smoking and alcohol.
Setting Boundaries With Friends and Family
Smoking and drinking are often associated with social behavior. When you decide to quit, you have to change or adjust some things in your life. Your close people should accept this new situation, too, especially if some of them smoke or drink.
It would be nice if you could set a good example and make them stop drinking or smoking, too. But don’t have hard feelings if they decide not to do it. Be sure to inform them of your intentions and ask them, as much as possible, to drink and smoke less in front of you.
Staying Motivated and Focused on the Benefits of a Healthier Lifestyle
The decision to quit smoking and drinking is big. Convincing yourself that you’re ready for this change is a huge step towards creating a mindset that will help you go through this process easily.
When you believe you can live with no tobacco smoke and alcohol, your motivation will skyrocket, and you’ll give your best to succeed. Even if you succumb to temptation, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, get back on track and remember your goal – a healthy, alcohol and smoke-free life.
Conclusion
Living a good life without alcohol and tobacco smoke is possible. You just have to take the first step and replace them with healthier habits. These activities won’t just take your mind off smoking and drinking but also help you improve your health and well-being.