If you have been smoking for years, it almost becomes a way of life. However, most people who smoke or use other tobacco products know that they should quit. The only problem is that they think that Quitting may seem too hard and even be impossible. But yet it can be done. More often than not, the longer you smoke, the harder it is to quit.
Smoking is an addiction. Tobacco in cigarettes contains nicotine, a drug that is addictive. Nicotine is both a stimulant and a depressant. That means it increases the heart rate at first and makes people feel more alert and then it causes depression and fatigue. There are many smokers who want to quit smoking. Some of them have also tried to quit it for the past one year, but failed miserably mainly because of Nicotine withdrawal
What is Nicotine Withdrawal?
A smoker's nervous system becomes accustomed to functioning with nicotine. When you stop smoking, the reduced nicotine intake disturbs the balance of the central nervous system, causing Nicotine withdrawal. This is the beginning of a most uncomfortable experience for you, to say the least.
What are the symptoms of Nicotine withdrawal?
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms include
- Cravings to smoke
- Insomnia
- Inability to Concentrate
- Constipation, gas, stomach pain
- Dry lips, tongue and mouth
- Headache
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Sore tongue and/or gums
- Tightness in the chest
- Increased appetite and weight gain
- Irritability or depression.
What can I do about it?
There are a number of steps that you can take to cope up with the nicotine withdrawal symptoms like:
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Avoid triggers: Years of smoking will teach you to relate almost everything in your lives with cigarettes. Triggers can be feelings, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or boredom. Find out the triggers that work against you and keep them at bay. For example: If you normally smoke after meals, make it a point to do something else after you eat, like read or call a friend.
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Exercise: Exercise reduces cravings to smoke while helping you feel better in general. Staying active is also a good way to make sure you keep your weight down and your energy up. Just 30 minutes of moderate physical activity can make a craving go away.
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Drink water: When a craving hits, drink down a glass of water. It can help to diminish the need to smoke, and gives you something to do with your hands. The extra water will also help to flush the nicotine out of your body.
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Practice meditation: A combination of relaxation exercises and meditation is the best thing that you can do to enhance your ability to keep away from smoking.
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Get Support: Support is a key ingredient to a solid quit smoking program. Tell friends and family of your intention to quit smoking, and make them your personal support network.
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Snack often: When blood sugar levels drop, cravings to smoke can seem more powerful. Eat something nutritious, such as a piece of fruit, a cup of yogurt, or a couple of whole-grain biscuits to manage the craving. Give your mouth something to do. Chew on sugarless gum or hard candy.
Although withdrawal can be uncomfortable and some people may feel high levels of symptoms, there is no health danger from nicotine withdrawal. Remember, nicotine withdrawal is only a temporary phase of recovery. Your life will improve a lot when you have kicked tobacco out of your life, once and for all.
