One of the major reasons why so many smokers are afraid to quit smoking is due to the withdrawal symptoms. Almost all, if not all smokers will go through a period of withdrawal symptoms during the period of quitting. This is because the body is trying to adjust back to its initial state of not being dependant on cigarettes.
Usually,
the heavier the smoker is, the more the individual is going to experience the withdrawal symptoms. The severity of symptoms will depend on the time duration as well as the amount of cigarettes smoked.
When someone smokes, patterns and habits that arise as triggers are formed. For example, the smoker will light up a cigarette during certain situations or venues. Thus, whenever smoker comes across the same situations or venues, there is a tendency to have urges to smoke.
Withdrawal symptoms are usually for a moment. But the whole duration span that a quitter has to go through may be over a period of time. One of the most common symptoms is the constant running nose or also known as the quitter’s flu.
Not every quitter will experience the same withdrawal symptoms, as it depends on the severity of smoking. Here are some of the withdrawal symptoms.
Fatigue, irritation, crankiness, anger, sore throat, insomnia, cough, headaches, losing concentration, stomach upset, dizziness, weight gain, depression, anxiety, etc.
One of the obstacles in quitting smoking is to manage these withdrawal symptoms better. This is because you will not want any of these symptoms to overwhelm you to the point of going back to smoking again.
There are some practical strategies that you can follow:
1. Break your routine by going for brisk walks around your neighborhood, or call your friends to go out. You would not want to go through the same routine as chances for triggers of cravings will arise.
2. Learn to relax yourself including techniques for breathing, going for exercises and even to a spa.
3. Drink plenty of water. You heard about the 8 glasses of water a day as a general rule. Because you are going through withdrawal symptoms, you will want to consider drinking more than 8 glasses, which is up to 12 glasses of water a day.
4. Get plenty of rest. Your body needs to repair itself from the state of independency from cigarettes and sleeping will provide that. You will also be less cranky and agitated with more rest.
5. Take your vitamins, including multi-vitamins and fish oil. These help with boosting your immune system and flush out the toxins faster.
If you can tackle your withdrawal symptoms, you will have a high chance of quitting smoking as you are keeping your spirit high and motivated to fight this addiction. It takes work, but in time you will find that you no longer crave for cigarettes.
