Quitting Smoke: How to Cope Up With Nicotine Withdrawal or Quitter’s Flu
By Monalisa Hyden
Quitter’s flu… is not something like bird flu caused by any virus or bacteria. You can take it as the post-break-up syndrome with your beloved ‘Nicotine’. Enough of joking! Let me cut it short, it is the physical withdrawal from nicotine. The symptoms are identical to cold or mild case of flu, a temporary condition though.Let me tell you what you should expect while quitting smoke; you will experience temporary physical and mental changes but trust me, discomforts will not remain forever…they are bound to wither away as they are very short lived. Once you pass this temporary phase you will reach a whole new world where your soul will experience the freedom within a healthy body. However, in very rare cases, the symptoms remain for long time. In such a case one should consult doctor and discuss the withdrawal problems in detail before giving in to the withdrawal symptoms and starting to smoke again. Nowadays, we even have medicines for fighting withdrawal symptoms such as Zyban and Chantix. When your will power fails, medicines like Chantix are very effective.The nicotine withdrawal symptoms are listed as cravings to smoke, crankiness, irritability, insomnia, inability to concentrate, fatigue, headache, sore throat, cough, constipation, stomach pain, gas, dry mouth, postnasal drip, sore tongue and gums and tightness in the chest etc.
There are simple ways following which you can very well handle the nicotine withdrawal symptoms. When you feel the craving for a cigarette, just wait for sometime, it will pass eventually, most of the time within 3 to 5 minutes. You can do that by distracting yourself by doing something that you enjoy…like listening to your favorite music, talking to someone you love, or playing a computer game of your interest. Another way to fight cravings is to increase the frequency of drinking water. You can keep a water bottle and start sipping water whenever you feel like smoking. When the urge is like tremendous, just talk to someone supportive about how you are feeling.To keep yourself fit and energetic during this withdrawal period you can exercise for 10 to 15 minutes everyday. Exercise and more of physical activities will help you to get good sleep which is very important during this smoking cessation period. Insomnia is something which you may experience during the nicotine withdrawal period. In such cases take long walk in the afternoon and do not take rest till you seriously wish to sleep.
Enjoy this period by involving into relaxing activities whenever you are free. Read a book of your favorite writer or take a hot bubble bath with aromatic candles lit aside, or play a recreational game…just do whatever you enjoy doing…to relax yourself.Make it a point to reward yourself as a smoke free day ends for you. You are going to get rid of nicotine menace and that too just by the share power your will. You deserve a reward for this, so reward yourself with things you love.
Just remember that nicotine withdrawal is an ephemeral stage from where you will perceive a self-transition, a free, self-controlled, healthy and happy YOU! Is it not worth enduring the short-lived discomfort?
The author, Monalisa Hyden, addresses
psychological and health related issues.
If you wish to help yourself and your
loved ones in quit smoking, you can log
on to http://www.chantixhome.com
for more information and advice.
