I have battled nicotine addiction for twelve years.
The withdrawals are horrible, but i have found some easy, free coping solutions to fellow smokers who refuse to cop out $6.
48 for a pack of smokes no longer.
The worst is the cravings without a doubt.
I find that you have to distract yourself every time you feel the urge to smoke.
If you get the urge to smoke, find something else to do, and tell yourself you are not going to smoke right then.
Just keep postponing it for five minutes at a time; take deep breaths and remind yourself that this urge will pass.
Call a friend who supports your decision to quit cigarettes; everyone has one of those friends- the reformed smoker who is worse than the non smoker by far, and casts you dirty looks and rags you to the bloody end about how awful cigarettes are for your health (like we haven't been informed),and how he quit so easily, why can't you? Yeah, call him.
How about the irritability factor? I wanted to pull my hair out and would grind my teeth and say the meanest things to my family.
Just remind yourself, family and friends that this is only a phase and well worth it in the long run.
Pamper yourself with nice things the money you are not wasting on cigarettes.
Ironically, you will experience fatigue and insomnia simultaneously.
Take naps in the first days to come; you'll need it; just don't sleep too much or too late in the day.
Exercise is key to helping retain energy, even if it is just brisk walks of fresh air at first.
At night, soak in a hot bubble bath and read an enjoyable book.
Coffee is a liar.
Limit caffeine intake, and certainly do not indulge in any caffeinated beverage past dinner.
I had many problems concentrating on what it was I was supposed to be dong.
Write a to do list so you know exactly what it is you need to accomplish, and cross each task off as you go.
Do not feel the need to overdo yourself.
You want to stay busy, but keep it simple and do not allow yourself to get stressed out.
Stress is my number one trigger.
Take it easy and allow frequent breaks.
If you have a huge task at hand, just prepare for it and work into it instead of jumping in at once and feeling overwhelmed.
Many people worry about weight gain.
That was my number one concern.
Chew on gum, lollipops, jolly ranchers, toothpicks, crunchy vegetables, and drink plenty of water.
I cannot begin to emphasize how important exercising is.
I purchased a dance cardio DVD a long time ago, and I cannot dance at all.
I have no rhythm.
But i burn some major calories and it makes me think twice about what I am going to replenish my body with in terms of fatty snacks or healthy meals.
There will be increased coughing, dizziness, constipation,and cigarette fantasizing.
This is all normal and will decrease in time, as long as you do not give in.
I was a hard core smoker, and if I can do it, anyone can.
I have no self discipline or control.
Just take it one day at a time and watch your wallet fatten up.
The withdrawals are horrible, but i have found some easy, free coping solutions to fellow smokers who refuse to cop out $6.
48 for a pack of smokes no longer.
The worst is the cravings without a doubt.
I find that you have to distract yourself every time you feel the urge to smoke.
If you get the urge to smoke, find something else to do, and tell yourself you are not going to smoke right then.
Just keep postponing it for five minutes at a time; take deep breaths and remind yourself that this urge will pass.
Call a friend who supports your decision to quit cigarettes; everyone has one of those friends- the reformed smoker who is worse than the non smoker by far, and casts you dirty looks and rags you to the bloody end about how awful cigarettes are for your health (like we haven't been informed),and how he quit so easily, why can't you? Yeah, call him.
How about the irritability factor? I wanted to pull my hair out and would grind my teeth and say the meanest things to my family.
Just remind yourself, family and friends that this is only a phase and well worth it in the long run.
Pamper yourself with nice things the money you are not wasting on cigarettes.
Ironically, you will experience fatigue and insomnia simultaneously.
Take naps in the first days to come; you'll need it; just don't sleep too much or too late in the day.
Exercise is key to helping retain energy, even if it is just brisk walks of fresh air at first.
At night, soak in a hot bubble bath and read an enjoyable book.
Coffee is a liar.
Limit caffeine intake, and certainly do not indulge in any caffeinated beverage past dinner.
I had many problems concentrating on what it was I was supposed to be dong.
Write a to do list so you know exactly what it is you need to accomplish, and cross each task off as you go.
Do not feel the need to overdo yourself.
You want to stay busy, but keep it simple and do not allow yourself to get stressed out.
Stress is my number one trigger.
Take it easy and allow frequent breaks.
If you have a huge task at hand, just prepare for it and work into it instead of jumping in at once and feeling overwhelmed.
Many people worry about weight gain.
That was my number one concern.
Chew on gum, lollipops, jolly ranchers, toothpicks, crunchy vegetables, and drink plenty of water.
I cannot begin to emphasize how important exercising is.
I purchased a dance cardio DVD a long time ago, and I cannot dance at all.
I have no rhythm.
But i burn some major calories and it makes me think twice about what I am going to replenish my body with in terms of fatty snacks or healthy meals.
There will be increased coughing, dizziness, constipation,and cigarette fantasizing.
This is all normal and will decrease in time, as long as you do not give in.
I was a hard core smoker, and if I can do it, anyone can.
I have no self discipline or control.
Just take it one day at a time and watch your wallet fatten up.