The first few weeks after quitting smoking are usually the most difficult and it's safe to say that it normally takes at least 8-12 weeks before a person starts to feel comfortable with their new lifestyle change of being an ex-smoker. Withdrawal from nicotine, an addictive drug found in tobacco, is characterized by symptoms that include headache, anxiety, nausea and a craving for more tobacco. Nicotine creates a chemical dependency, so that the body develops a need for a certain level of nicotine at all times. FlavaSticks:FlavaSticksare an excellent method to assist in smoking cessation. They offer an outstanding substitute to smoking cigarettes.Flavasticks flavored toothpicks are an extraordinary method to help you to stop smoking. A Detailed List of Some Common Withdrawal Symptoms: & Anger and Mood Swings Anger is part of the quitting process. You don't have to have a reason to feel that way, you just do. Accept it, vent it safely. Deal with the irritating situation by dealing with your feelings rather than suppressing them. Say what's on your mind without blowing your stack. Anger openly expressed or kept inside creates tension which may create the need for a cigarette. Reducing the tension will reduce your desire for a cigarette. Discuss your anger with your buddy. Take a walk. Dodeep breathingexercises. Top Boredom Try new things. Keep your hands and mind busy (write a letter, do dishes, cook, paint, do carpentry, knit, garden, sew). Run some errands, get caught up on jobs you haven't had time to do, or go see a movie. If you have to stay in one place, have a book/crossword puzzles/deck of cards handy. Top Constipation, gas, stomach pain Top Craving for a cigarette Withdrawal from nicotine, a strongly addictive drug. It is most frequent the first 2 or 3 days. Occasionally, it can occur for months or for years. Wait out the urge; they only last a few minutes. Wait until it passes (in general 3 to 5 minutes). Get busy. Start another activity.Think of something else. Focus on your work.Drink some water, chew some gum or eat sugarless candy.Eat something (e.g., some fruit). Breathe deeply several times. Do a relaxing exercise. Brush your teeth. Tell yourself the symptoms will disappear in a few days. Top Depression &Despair Find a substitute reward to smoking. Deal with your emotions. Call your support buddy. Use positive self-talk. Don't cut yourself down; build yourself up. Don't allow a self-defeatist attitude (I'm no good, I can't do this). This can lead to a decreased sense of control and a drop in self-esteem. Think of success, not failure! It's normal to feel sad, angry, or confused in the first few smoke-free weeks. These feelings will pass but If the depression does not appear to be going away, take it seriously and consult your doctor. Top Dizziness Your body is getting extra oxygen like it hasn't seen for a long time. Get fresh air, go for a walk, change positions slowly. It will last several days and will go away. Top Fatigue Nicotine is a stimulant. 2 to 4 weeks. Get extra sleep and more exercise; take naps; don't push yourself. If you feel tired when you first wake up, do some moderate exercises and take a cool shower. Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day to speed up the healing process. Top Frustration Take a walk. Do deep breathing exercises. Talk to your support buddy. Think of the positive reasons for quitting and the rewards you will be able to achieve. Take some time by yourself. Do a favorite hobby. Top Headaches Take a warm bath or shower. Try relaxation ormeditationtechniques. Do more physical activities. Cut down on coffee and cola drinks. Top Increase on Appetite Craving for a cigarette can be confused with hunger pangs or asimplecraving for oral stimulation. For years, your mouth was stimulated every time a cigarette landed between your lips. This has now been removed. Up to several weeks What can I do?Drink water or low-calorie liquids. Be prepared with low-calorie and low-fat snacks (celery, pretzels, carrots, popcorn, melba toast); chew a toothpick, chew gum, munch on raw vegetables. Top Insomnia Nicotine affects brain wave function. This can influence sleep patterns and dreams about smoking are common. 1 week Take a hot, relaxing bath, avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, pop) after 6:00pm Try relaxing at bedtime with a glass of warm milk, deep breathing and relaxation techniques. Work on a hobby. Top Irritability, grouchy, tense The body is craving for nicotine. Tobacco smokers are in a chronic state of nervous stimulation. Many of the symptoms quitters experience are the result of the nervous system returning to normal. It normally last for 1-2 weeks. Deep breathe, take walks, exercise, use relaxation techniques, chew nicotine gum, cut down on coffee and pop. Top Lack of concentration The body needs time to adjust to not having constant stimulation from nicotine. A few weeks Change activities, get some fresh air, exercise, deep breathe, listen to music, watch TV, do more physical activity, cut down on coffee and cola, plan workload accordingly, avoid situations that may trigger your desire to smoke. Top Loneliness Cigarettes are seen by many people as a close friend. Call a real friend. Go for a walk or a drive. Sing, pray. Top Night Time awakenings Cigarettes are seen by many people as a close friend. Call a real friend. Go for a walk or a drive. Sing, pray. Top Restlessness Exercise. Work on a hobby. Catch up on your chores. Do some extra jobs at work. Top Tightness in the chest It is probably due to tension created by the body's need for nicotine; may be caused by sore muscles from coughing. Part of the recovery process may be the lung's attempt to remove mucus and tar. The normal mucus transport system will start to reactivate itself, which can initially cause coughing. It will last a few days. Deep breathing and relaxation techniques. Be patient; wait it out! Your body wants to return to normal. Top Weight gain Weight gain from quitting smoking is very normal for most people and you can expect to put on 5-10 pounds over the period of several months. Remember that this extra weight gain is a lot better than continuing to smoke! Top And the good news when you quit is that the withdrawal symptomsget less intense and do go away! Information Courtesy of:Lung Association of Saskatchewan http://www.quitsmokingsupport.com/methods.htm http://www.quitsmokingsupport.com/withdrawal1.htm
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