Regardless of which option you choose that you feel will assist you in quitting smoking, the first three days are the hardest. This is when the physical symptoms of nicotine leaving your body is felt the most. Common symptoms such as irritability, feeling sleepy or fatigued, and that slight headache that never seems to go away, are all common symptoms of withdrawal.
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!
What are the symptoms of withdrawal? What are you going to feel? By planning beforehand, you can alleviate a lot of these problems before they arise. Here are a few things you may want to include on your list:
Angry or agitated: I will find a task to take my mind off the fact that I can’t smoke.
Feeling overly emotional or sensitive: Find yourself some solitude and let the feelings out.
Feeling tired: Rest and healing are needed to allow myself to heal from my addiction.
Feeling nauseated: I will drink a glass of water (helps with nausea, as do apples and ginger).
After a meal I will: get out and take a walk, or clear the table.
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.
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.
A very common side effect during the first few nights is finding it difficult to fall asleep and then to sleep soundly. Even though you might’ve been exhausted throughout the day, when it’s time for bed it seems like everything is racing through your mind and you can’t get comfortable.
A couple of tricks can help with your restlessness. The first is to take a hot bath or shower before heading off to bed and the second is to use an over-the-counter sleep aid until the symptoms pass. Keep in mind that your sleeplessness won’t last forever. Probably only a few days at most.