Quit Smoking Symptoms
Once you’ve decided to quit smoking, you must be very aware of the changes your body will go through. This is useful in order for you to be able to focus on your goal: becoming smoke-free. In fact, being aware of what’s going on every step of the way will increase your chances of staying ‘clean’ and kicking this ugly habit for good!
This is why it’s important for you to know the most common quit smoking symptoms:
1. Anger – once you’ve stopped feeding nicotine to your brain, it will no longer function ‘normally’ for a day or two. In real life, this will translate into you being a bit cranky. It’s good to be aware of this, and also tell all your friends and close ones you’ve given up nicotine (and that you might get agitated and mad). This way, they too will know you’re fighting with a quit smoking symptom and will cut you some slack.
2. Constipation – this is something I’ve heard a lot of people complain about; I myself have not experienced it, and I haven’t really heard of an explanation for it… Just be aware that it might happen to you too. Try to drink a more liquids, especially in the first days of quitting smoking.
3. Cough – this will happen because your lungs are actually getting rid of the bad stuff (such as tar). Also, you should keep in mind that this only lasts a few days (max. 2 weeks). After this, you’ll have cleaner and healthier lungs.
4. Cravings – these are nothing more than your body asking for the drug. This is actually how any addiction works. Be prepared to deal with these, remember that smoking does nothing good to you, and you’ll be over them in no time. This quit smoking symptom lasts no more than 3-4 days for most people.
5. Bad breath – this is what we could actually call a pseudo symptom: all smokers have it, it’s just that you will only notice it once you’ve stopped using cigarettes. If you start noticing this and it makes you feel weird, try chewing some gum.
6. Insomnia – once your brain is lacking nicotine, it will be a bit more ‘agitated’, and hence you may not be able to sleep right. Again, this lasts for 4-5 days tops, and even so, there are a few things you can do to sleep better: take a long bath and drink hot liquids before sleep.
In order to ensure success, you should read these quit smoking symptoms every once in a while, the first days, so that you get it well through your head that they are only symptoms and will go away really soon. There is no need for you to panic, or feel like everything is collapsing around you. It’s not. You’re simply experiencing a drug withdrawal, and it WILL go away as fast as it came around. On top of this, it will leave you a healthier, better looking and better smelling person!