NICOTINE WITHDRAWAL
This is the main culprit which prohibits smokers from becoming non-smokers. It has the greatest influence, it's the biggest factor, and it's basically everything you fear rolled up into one. It's a monster, and it will haunt you every step of the way until it leaves your body for good.
It will literally drive you crazy, but if you can beat it, and be smart about it, you'll live the best possible life you can possibly imagine. For you heavy smokers out there, it means everything. It's the #1 reason why you can't quit.
The physical effects last 3 weeks. Beyond that, it is all in your head. However, those first few weeks can be very difficult and quite painful. To some, it's the most intense battle ever. After years and years of inhaling, it makes sense that it would be hard. But don't let that stop you. Be strong and wake up everyday with a goal of not giving in to cigarettes.
It's important to know everything you can about your worst enemy. It's your main obstacle, so you should take it serious. If you don't, you're going to relapse. You have to be SERIOUS about quitting. You have to know what's coming, and that means knowing what withdrawal will feel like, or potentially feel like. If you feel anything strange going on, that's most likely it.
Why is it so important to know what's coming?
If this is your first time, then you won't have any idea. But if this isn't, then knowing what you're feeling, whether it's negative or not, can help you. You won't be freaking out because you'll know, that at the end of the day, it's just a withdrawal symptom, and nothing else.
- You become obsessed about the thought of a cigarette
- You're getting stressed-out
- You're mind starts playing tricks on you
- You're getting short-tempered
- Things start to make you angry
- You're sweating
- You're breathing becomes heavier
- You're excited about the next potential cigarette
A more in-depth look at some of the withdrawal symptoms.
- Keep your hands busy
- Work more
- Sleep more, especially naps
- Spend more time inside non-smoking environments
- Drink juices, especially cranberry juice
- Eat whenever you want to, and don't shy away from it
- Nibble on something
- Watch TV
- JUST GO HOME AND MAKE IT THROUGH THE DAY!
It will sneak up on you when you least expect it. It will make you do some crazy things! You'll feel like you're not even yourself. People will either think you're sick or you're just angry all of a sudden.
Your anxiety might become so bad that all you feel is panic. You won't even be able to communicate with others because of the pressure.
Your vision may get blurry. You might get dizzy. Your eyes might become dry and dilated. Your mouth will water.
But underneath it all, I bet you'll feel really good. Why? Take a step back and ignore the physical for just a second and focus on what's really going on. Are you breathing better already? Are you sleeping better? Are your taste buds returning? You'll notice these things right away, it's just that the physical pain overshadows the good things. People tend to dwell on the negative parts in their life. It's human nature.
The pain is nothing more than your body's way of telling you it's healing itself. If you can understand that, and see past that, and know whatever negative feelings you have will eventually fade away, then you are a winner.
Being able to handle the negative side effects is big chunk of the battle. Most people can't handle the withdrawal, and they think they feel worse, so they go back to smoking. If you understand that you WILL feel worse before you feel better, you'll triple your chances at success.
By doing this, you are so much closer to your dream than everyone else. Now that you know what it actually means and why you are going through pain you can take it on with FULL FORCE! Trust me, it will only last a few weeks. The first week is awful, but then you'll start to feel really awesome. If you can do that, you can do anything. 3 weeks and nicotine is gone from your body forever.
Perhaps some of you are able to get over the physical, but not the mental. It's easy to get over the physical because it's there, you can feel it. You can almost see it when you look in the mirror. It's not something hiding underneath something. It's right out in the open. Either you can take it head-on, or you can avoid it. It's your choice.
The mental cravings have more to do with "losing your best friend" and fighting triggers that became habits during all those years. Take it one day at a time.
Just say to yourself, "It's only the addiction."
