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Posts Tagged ‘family health’

The First 72 Hours After You Stop Smoking

by Darren Warmuth

Feelings of fatigue, irritability and an extremely persistent headache are all side effects of nicotine withdrawal and are all perfectly normal. Why? Simply because it is in the first 72 hours which nicotine purges itself from your system – regardless of the stop smoking method you have chosen to use.

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!

Also keep in mind that you will be going through these trying times and have plans to work through them, should they arise. It can really nip withdrawal symptoms in the bud. It is helpful to have made a list of what you feel you may experience for symptoms of withdrawal. Some of the things that you may want to include on your list are:

Feeling angry or agitated: I will take deep breaths and take a walk outside. I will leave the room or go take a shower.

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

Feeling tired: I will allow myself to be able to rest and heal from my addiction.

Feeling nauseated: I will go outside and get some fresh air.

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.

Sometimes giving up too many things at once can also open up another can of worms, so maybe just try cutting back on the caffeine. Water, fruit juices, and even ice cream shakes, can help clear out your system and get those withdrawal symptoms done with faster.

Sleep, or the lack of it, is another common side effect of stopping smoking. It doesn’t seem to matter how tired you are during the day, a good sound sleep can be elusive as your mind doesn’t seem to want to shut down, nor can you find a comfortable position in which to rest.

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.

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The first 72 hours after quitting smoking

by 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.

The good news is that if you prepare mentally for your quit day, many of the symptoms will not make you feel like you have to lock yourself in a closet. Letting friends and family members know that today is your quit day (if you feel they would be a help and not a hindrance) would be a good idea and since it’s common knowledge about how people act when they stop smoking, you may just get the to house to yourself for the day.

Also keep in mind that you will be going through these trying times and have plans to work through them, should they arise. It can really nip withdrawal symptoms in the bud. It is helpful to have made a list of what you feel you may experience for symptoms of withdrawal. Some of the things that you may want to include on your list are:

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 go outside and get some fresh air.

After I eat I will: Find something to do so I don’t crave the ‘after-dinner’ cigarette.

Drinking lots and lots of fluids, especially water, is a great way to clear the nicotine from your system as the fluids will metabolize your body’s chemical stores. Side effects, at worse, are more frequent bathroom breaks and a water-logged stomach. The upside is that the faster the nicotine leaves your system, the sooner the physical symptoms will subside.

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.

Another common side effect of quitting smoking is the inability to fall asleep or to stay soundly asleep. Regardless of how tired you might have been throughout the day, it seems like your mind won’t shut down for the evening and comfort is nowhere to be found.

Taking a nice hot shower or a soothing bath, just prior to going to bed can be very helpful and can help you become relaxed enough to fall asleep. Normally, this will only last one or two nights at the most, but if it becomes persistent, you may want to consider taking an over-the-counter sleep aid for a night or two. Your sleeplessness won’t last for long.

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Be Ready to Quit Smoking

by Darren Warmuth

Quitting smoking is not the first thing you should do; it is the last step of the journey, and it will happen on its own when you are ready for it. So, you need to concentrate on the preparation for quitting smoking rather than the act of quitting smoking.

Usually, the thought of quitting smoking comes up only when you confront a virtual threat like a health scare or the realization that it is taking a heavy toll on your body. The reason is not important; what is important is that you have taken the decision to quit smoking. This is a huge achievement; don’t spoil it by rushing to the end without walking all the way. You will get nowhere.

Preparation and education is the key to everything, including quitting smoking. You wouldn’t attempt to rebuild your car’s engine just because you bought a set of tools off the shelf, or sew a dress for your daughter’s wedding after picking up your first ever sewing machine, so please don’t think that you can buy an off the shelf smoking cessation aid and you are home free. You would have just as much luck getting your car’s engine back together properly as quitting smoking. Oh sure, eventually you might get it right, but why waste your efforts when the proper information is available to help you be successful the first time.

Scour the internet. Look at the available stop smoking programs and really compare them. Don’t just buy the first one you see. And make sure that the program you are buying is grounded in education and preparation about quitting first and supplements or cessation aids second. You should be encouraged to take your time to learn and prepare as opposed to placing your faith in a product that states that there is no effort required on your part.

Nothing is farther from the truth than such a statement. You cannot gain something for nothing. Your effort is most crucial. However, it is important to remember that quitting is the last step. It is the goal, not the path. But the truth is that the path is long and arduous and you need all your strength and determination to travel on it. Your success depends on how well you have prepared for the journey you are going to undertake. Quitting is the easy part – you just stop. So make sure you have all the information you need, before you try to quit smoking, and then there is no way you can fail to achieve your target of becoming a non-smoker.

To your lasting success,

Darren Warmuth

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