What to Expect When You Quit Smoking
You will benefit from quitting cigarettes!
The only real way that a smoker can reduce his or her risks of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and other complications which arise as a result of smoking is to quit! Quitting is a very challenging process but it’s not impossible! One of your best ways of quitting and remaining abstinent from the use of cigarettes is to understand what to expect when you quit smoking so that you don’t feel like you have any curveballs thrown in your direction along the way. Preparation is key to successful smoking cessation.
Preparation for Withdrawal
When you decide to quit smoking, it’s important that you are prepared for the withdrawal symptoms that are likely to arise upon your decision to quit. Some of the symptoms that you can expect to feel include:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Cravings
Coping with Withdrawal
Nicotine replacement can help to ease the cravings that you are having and make the withdrawal process easier to deal with. If you don’t want to use a nicotine replacement gum or patch, consider one of the following methods of coping with withdrawal symptoms naturally:
- Exercise
- Breathing exercises or mediation
- Chewing on hard candy, carrots or another favorite food that is not loaded with calories
- Taking part in a hobby or fun activity to get your mind off cigarettes
Cravings
Your biggest feat throughout your entire decision to quit smoking will be to come up with a way to cope with the cravings that you will likely have for weeks or potentially even months following your decision to quit. Cravings are frustrating because you can’t do much to prevent them aside from avoiding potential situations that make you want to smoke such as drinking, spending time around others who smoke or being involved in stressful situations.
Your best bet for dealing with cravings is to tackle them head on and be persistent. When a craving comes up, tell yourself that it is not permanent and that it will not last for long. Remind yourself that you don’t need a cigarette, you simply want one. Find an activity that you can immediately take part in to forget about your craving. If these efforts don’t work, consider a support group to help you cope.
Life without Cigarettes
So what can you really expect when you quit smoking? Life without cigarettes really isn’t bad at all! You will feel better, you will ultimately sleep better, you will have more energy and you will heal faster. Cigarettes do a world of damage to the body and it may take many weeks or months of not smoking in order for you to feel the full effects of your decision to quit but rest easy knowing that you will soon realize that the hassles and the hardships that you go through during smoking withdrawal are all worth the effort when you are healthy and nicotine free.
Life without cigarettes is a life that no longer includes harmful chemicals and toxins being pushed into the body causing an increased risk of cancer, respiratory problems, heart attack, stroke and death. It may take a few months to get used to but you can live without cigarettes and you will be glad that you made the decision to quit.
