Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for yourself and the people around you. But since cigarettes are a drug and are addictive for everybody that smoked for a while, this will not be an easy process. You must have a lot of will and be prepared to face some difficult symptoms. But no matter how hard it will get, remember that you are doing yourself a great favor. You are granting yourself the right to a better, healthier and longer life. And after you pass the most difficult period, things will be like nothing happened. Here is what you need to know about quitting smoking and nicotine withdrawal.
Quitting smoking
Quitting smoking is an important and tough decision for any smoker. The thought of it may seem okay, but when you try to put that in practice, you find out that it is rather difficult. Smoking acts very much like a drug, and even if you think you are on top of the situation, considering that a pack of cigarettes can’t own you, when trying to quit you find out that things are rather difficult. Why? Because your body got used to the substance called nicotine, found any tobacco products. Thus, you must be prepared to endure a nicotine withdrawal period until your body adjusts to the state it was prior to smoking. Be patient, and you will be rewarded by a better health.
Nicotine withdrawal timeline
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms may be felt for a more extended period, but the first week after you decided to stop smoking is crucial. This is the period when you feel the worse symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, so you’d better be prepared.
After the first moment you decided to stop smoking, the first craving for a cigarette will appear in about 4 hours. Since your body is used to smoking, it will start asking for its dose. The hours pass as they pass, with a lot of resistance and will from your side. But, after 10 hours, usually when night kicks in, you will start feeling restless and will have some troubles falling asleep. You may feel the need to have a smoke, just to calm down, but you need to resist.
The first day without cigarettes starts in the morning. You will feel rather wrecked, by not being able to sleep. You will also be irritable and will get into fights with other people rather easy and out of nothing. But it is all because of your state, so you must calm down. In the next two days, headaches will bother you, anxiety and stress will try to give you a hard time, and on the third day, you will start to feel a bit better, as the worst has passed.
After the entire week is over, without any cigarettes at all, you will be really proud of you, and things can only get better from now on.
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms duration
Even if the first week is worst, as it contains the entire cocktail of symptoms, nicotine withdrawal symptoms may last up to two weeks. It is a crucial moment when your will and stamina are put to a test, so do your best and stick to your goal. The entire point is to resist getting back to smoking during these two weeks because after this period you will start to feel better slowly. You may also wish to ask for help for overcoming this period because many smokers fail to follow their goal during these two weeks, as they are beaten down by the withdrawal symptoms.
Severe nicotine withdrawal symptoms
The symptoms regarding nicotine withdrawal will be different from one person to another, so not everybody will feel the same. Still, there are some severe withdrawals that can be considered by anyone quitting smoking. Nausea, cramps in the stomach, depression, insomnia, anxiety, sweating, a tingling sensation in the limbs or even a difficulty in focus, are some of the worst symptoms you may experience. Usually, these appear in the first two weeks after quitting, when your body’s withdrawal is at its highest intensity. If you manage to pass the first week, you won’t have to worry about them, as they won’t be felt throughout the entire period in which you try to quit cigarettes for good. So things will only be better.
How to alleviate nicotine withdrawal symptoms
Quitting smoking is not an easy task, but, fortunately, there are some things you can do to make the situation better for you. For instance, start eating healthy and exercise daily. Eating healthy will give you extra energy and power for your body to deal with the new changes, and exercising is a great way to clean your body and increase your moral state. Also, change your environment and stop staying in places where there is smoke coming from cigarettes. As well, don’t forget to celebrate each victory, like another week passed without smoking. Treat yourself with a movie night, a beautiful accessory or anything else that can bring some joy in your life. Find ways to deal with the stress, like meditating, reading a good book, listening to your favorite music, enjoy a walk in the park, anything that may help you relax. And if you feel overwhelmed and ready to crack, never hesitate to ask for help. Your goal is much too important.
Benefits of quitting smoking on the long run
Not only your lungs will be happy or not being smothered by toxic fumes all day long, but also the rest of your body will feel better. Your blood pressure will regulate, and you will enjoy more oxygen in your cells. You will be able to sleep better, rest better and feel more energized every day. The nerves in your extremities will start to regrow. Thus, you will have a much-improved sense of touch, a better smell and taste. The physical effort will appear to be easier, heart stroke risks are reduced, together with the chances of developing lung, throat and mouth cancer. So heart issues and various cancer risks are reduced considerably, at the state of a non-smoking person.
Nicotine patch
Nicotine patches can help you during the quit smoking period, as it will release a very small quantity of nicotine into your body. Thus, the withdrawal symptoms will be reduced. Still, it is a drug, and you should carefully read the instruction before use. It can create allergic reactions and can interfere with other medicines. So do talk with a doctor or with your pharmacist about any health issues or treatment you may be taking at the moment. Thus, this is a drug and must be treated accordingly.
