It's the first three days that people find the most difficult regardless of the smoking cessation method they've chosen. This is due to the fact that it is in those 72 hours when the nicotine leaving your body is felt the greatest. This can lead to feelings of irritabililty, fatigue, and a persistent headache - all perfectly normal symptoms of withdrawal.
Preparation is the key. By knowing what you are in for, you can make plans to deal with the feelings and symptoms and not have to hide away where you won't bother anyone. However it is also a good idea to inform your family and friends (but only if they are supportive) of your goals. This also gives them the opportunity to stay clear if they think you might be a little bit cranky!
Also keep in mind that you will be going through these trying times and have plans to work through them, should they arise. It can really nip withdrawal symptoms in the bud. It is helpful to have made a list of what you feel you may experience for symptoms of withdrawal. Some of the things that you may want to include on your list are:
Feeling angry or agitated: I will take deep breaths and take a walk outside. I will leave the room or go take a shower.
Feeling overly emotional or sensitive: Seek out somewhere you can be alone until the feelings subside.
Feeling tired: Rest and healing are needed to allow myself to heal from my addiction.
Feeling nauseated: I will eat an apple or ginger (helps with nausea).
After I eat I will: Find something to do so I don't crave the 'after-dinner' cigarette.
A really good way to help your body get rid of the nicotine within it is to drink lots of liquids. The more you drink, the faster your body will metabolize the stored nicotine within your system and the only side effect of this is a slouchy stomach and maybe a few more trips to the bathroom. The faster you can get the nicotine flushed out of your system, the sooner the withdrawal symptoms will be over, at least the physical ones.
There are a lot of theories as to what makes withdrawal symptoms worse or better. Some say that you should also give up caffeine when you stop smoking and there are others who found that it makes no difference in their case. If drinking beverages with caffeine in them makes you suddenly crave a cigarette, it is probably better to not to have any, or at the very least cut back.
Just be careful not to overload your willpower by giving up too many things at once. Perhaps just cut back slowly on the caffeine in the beginning and replace those types of drinks with things that will help rid your body of the nicotine, like fruit juices and water.
Sleep, or the lack of it, is another common side effect of stopping smoking. It doesn't seem to matter how tired you are during the day, a good sound sleep can be elusive as your mind doesn't seem to want to shut down, nor can you find a comfortable position in which to rest.
To help alleviate this, I recommend a hot shower before heading off to bed to help you relax. Usually the sleep deprivation only lasts for a night or two. However if it persists, I would suggest a visit to the pharmacy to pick up a sleeping aid until the restlessness passes. It won't last forever. - 15343
Preparation is the key. By knowing what you are in for, you can make plans to deal with the feelings and symptoms and not have to hide away where you won't bother anyone. However it is also a good idea to inform your family and friends (but only if they are supportive) of your goals. This also gives them the opportunity to stay clear if they think you might be a little bit cranky!
Also keep in mind that you will be going through these trying times and have plans to work through them, should they arise. It can really nip withdrawal symptoms in the bud. It is helpful to have made a list of what you feel you may experience for symptoms of withdrawal. Some of the things that you may want to include on your list are:
Feeling angry or agitated: I will take deep breaths and take a walk outside. I will leave the room or go take a shower.
Feeling overly emotional or sensitive: Seek out somewhere you can be alone until the feelings subside.
Feeling tired: Rest and healing are needed to allow myself to heal from my addiction.
Feeling nauseated: I will eat an apple or ginger (helps with nausea).
After I eat I will: Find something to do so I don't crave the 'after-dinner' cigarette.
A really good way to help your body get rid of the nicotine within it is to drink lots of liquids. The more you drink, the faster your body will metabolize the stored nicotine within your system and the only side effect of this is a slouchy stomach and maybe a few more trips to the bathroom. The faster you can get the nicotine flushed out of your system, the sooner the withdrawal symptoms will be over, at least the physical ones.
There are a lot of theories as to what makes withdrawal symptoms worse or better. Some say that you should also give up caffeine when you stop smoking and there are others who found that it makes no difference in their case. If drinking beverages with caffeine in them makes you suddenly crave a cigarette, it is probably better to not to have any, or at the very least cut back.
Just be careful not to overload your willpower by giving up too many things at once. Perhaps just cut back slowly on the caffeine in the beginning and replace those types of drinks with things that will help rid your body of the nicotine, like fruit juices and water.
Sleep, or the lack of it, is another common side effect of stopping smoking. It doesn't seem to matter how tired you are during the day, a good sound sleep can be elusive as your mind doesn't seem to want to shut down, nor can you find a comfortable position in which to rest.
To help alleviate this, I recommend a hot shower before heading off to bed to help you relax. Usually the sleep deprivation only lasts for a night or two. However if it persists, I would suggest a visit to the pharmacy to pick up a sleeping aid until the restlessness passes. It won't last forever. - 15343
About the Author:
Want to stop smoking? Then view Darren Warmuth's advice on the withdrawal to anticipate in the 3 days after you quit smoking
