Kick the Habit - Smoking Quiting Healing 

The first 3 days after stopping smoking

Author: Darren Warmuth

It\'s the first three days that people find the most difficult regardless of the smoking cessation method they\'ve chosen. This is due to the fact that it is in those 72 hours when the nicotine leaving your body is felt the greatest. This can lead to feelings of irritabililty, fatigue, and a persistent headache - all perfectly normal symptoms of withdrawal.

Preparation is the key. By knowing what you are in for, you can make plans to deal with the feelings and symptoms and not have to hide away where you won\'t bother anyone. However it is also a good idea to inform your family and friends (but only if they are supportive) of your goals. This also gives them the opportunity to stay clear if they think you might be a little bit cranky!

What are the symptoms of withdrawal? What are you going to feel? By planning beforehand, you can alleviate a lot of these problems before they arise. Here are a few things you may want to include on your list:

Agitated or angry: Find something to do to take your mind off things. In solitude is probably best.

Feeling overly emotional or sensitive: Seek out somewhere you can be alone until the feelings subside.

Feeling tired: Rest and healing are needed to allow myself to heal from my addiction.

Feeling nauseated: I will drink a glass of water (helps with nausea, as do apples and ginger).

After eating, I will: Read to keep my mind occupied so I don\'t crave the \'after-dinner\' smoke.

By drinking lots of fluids, and most especially water, your body\'s stores of nicotine will be rapidly metabolized and flushed from your system. The downside is that you will have to go to the bathroom more often, but the upside is that the nicotine will clear itself from your system that much quicker and alleviate the physical withdrawal symptoms.

A few things can make the withdrawal symptoms stronger rather than weaker. Caffeine may be one of those. But not for all people. Every situation is unique. Best to judge for yourself. If you are finding that caffeinated drinks are causing you cravings, you should cut down drastically or quit altogether.

However, giving up multiple vices at once can also be very stressful. So be wary and maybe just cut back on the caffeine to start. But be sure to use plenty of water, juices and even milkshakes to kick start your system and get those withdrawal symptoms out of the way.

A very common side effect during the first few nights is finding it difficult to fall asleep and then to sleep soundly. Even though you might\'ve been exhausted throughout the day, when it\'s time for bed it seems like everything is racing through your mind and you can\'t get comfortable.

To help alleviate this, I recommend a hot shower before heading off to bed to help you relax. Usually the sleep deprivation only lasts for a night or two. However if it persists, I would suggest a visit to the pharmacy to pick up a sleeping aid until the restlessness passes. It won\'t last forever.

Want to stop smoking? Then view Darren Warmuth\'s advice on the withdrawal to expect in the 3 days after you quit smoking

Videos

Loading...

Kick The Habit News

Simon Cowell attempts to kick bad habit with hypnosis? - heatworld

heatworld

Simon Cowell attempts to kick bad habit with hypnosis? heatworld However, there seems to be one habit the X Factor boss is finding a little hard to control, smoking. Simon has reportedly started to undergo hypnosis to kick the habit, as it has been claimed that the star's friends and family want him to try and quit. Simon Cowell visits London clinic 'for hypnosis' to kick his smoking addictionNow Magazine Online all 3 news articles »

Recovery movement helps addicts kick the habit in Liverpool - BBC News

BBC News

Recovery movement helps addicts kick the habit in Liverpool BBC News By Andy Gill BBC North West Tonight "Ah boom chikka boom!" sings the choir leader. "Ah boom chikka boom! " sing back the twenty or so members of the choir. The Raucous Caucus Recovery Chorus is made up entirely of former drug users and alcoholics from ... and more »

Are electronic cigarettes safe? - KFDA

Are electronic cigarettes safe? KFDA They hit the market a few years ago and as advertising increases and national celebrities support it, many are wondering if the purpose is to help those kick the habit, or if it's just another fad. "Our smoking rates in the US have been stabilized ... and more »

$5000 QuitCash Challenge™ Prize Motivates Long-Time Smoker to Kick Butt - Sacramento Bee

$5000 QuitCash Challenge™ Prize Motivates Long-Time Smoker to Kick Butt Sacramento Bee Christine Albertson, 26, was one of more than 3000 Minnesotans who entered The QuitCash Challenge, kicking their tobacco habit and remaining smoke-free for at least one month. QUITPLAN Services will celebrate Christine's accomplishment and present her ... and more »

Time to kick helmet habit - Edmonton Journal

Time to kick helmet habit Edmonton Journal Helmets embolden too many skiers/ snowboarders to be more reckless, as can be seen at any ski area already. To imagine otherwise is to ignore the fundamentals of how a huge proportion of the skiing/snow-boarding population gets its kicks. and more »