Smoking cigarettes or any other form tobacco is a highly addictive habit. Those who have smoked for years often find it very hard to quit. Nevertheless, they may have decided that the benefits of quitting smoking outweigh the pleasure they get from it and are now determined to quit. Before quitting, though, one should be aware of the hurdles they will face as they try to stop smoking and prepare to overcome them.
Nicotine Cravings
Those who are addicted to nicotine feel like they need to smoke and that is often what makes quitting so hard. Cravings will be the strongest the first few days after one smokes their last cigarette. These nicotine cravings will come in waves. They may be strong and will last about three to five minutes. Be assured that cravings will subside and may only last two or three weeks. One can overcome cravings by remembering why they made the choice to quit smoking, not making any rash decisions and keeping busy. Also, take deep breaths and sip water to keep your mind off smoking.
Withdrawal Symptoms
There are several other withdrawal symptoms that affect those who quit smoking along with nicotine cravings. Preparing for these before the occur can make it easier to quit smoking successfully. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms include:
- headaches
- indigestion
- nausea
- insomnia
- coughing
- weight gain and increased appetite
- anxiety
- irritability
- tiredness
Most of these symptoms will subside after four to six weeks, but they may be difficult to deal with during that time. One can overcome these symptoms and encourage their body to be healthy and normal again by eating a healthy diet, drinking juice and water, engaging in moderate exercise and filling their lungs with clean air.
Triggers
Triggers are activities, places, people or feelings that trigger the urge to smoke. MayoClinic.com suggests, "Identify your trigger spots — or people — and have a plan in place so that you can avoid them entirely or get through them without using tobacco." If one usually smokes with certain friends or at certain places, it may be best to avoid them as they make the difficult transition from smoker to non-smoker. If one usually smokes during a coffee break, they may consider taking their break inside and drinking something other then coffee.
Certain emotions can also trigger the urge to smoke. Some smoke when they feel angry or stressed. Those who have this tendency should try to distract themselves when they feel these emotions. Taking a short walk or drinking a glass of water and filling their mind with positive thoughts may help keep one's mind off their problems and off smoking. By avoiding triggers one can avoid a relapse.
Quitting smoking is no easy task, but it may be a necessary one for one reason or another. One can make quitting easier by knowing what hurdles lie ahead of them and how they can overcome them. Nicotine cravings. other withdrawal symptoms and triggers make quitting smoking difficult, but it is not impossible!
Sources:
- MayoClinic.com *"Quitting Smoking: 10 Ways to Ride Out Tobacco Cravings" (accessed September 8, 2010)
- QuitSmokingStop.com *"Nicotine Addiction" (accessed September 8, 2010)
Sydnye Isabella Helu - Sydnye Helu is an artist with a love for words and the beauty they have the power to create when side by side.
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