The first 72 hours after quitting smoking
November 26th, 2008
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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