Happy 2022! With the New Year comes the opportunity for new beginnings. Many people start the New Year with resolutions to help them lead healthier lives. If you smoke cigarettes, quitting is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health and quality of life.
Begin your New Year’s resolutions with a plan to quit smoking.
Quitting smoking can be hard, but it is possible, and making a quit plan can help! To increase your chance of success, your quit plan should include strategies to help manage any nicotine withdrawal symptoms you might have. The good news is there are several ways to manage withdrawal symptoms, which can help you keep your resolution to make 2022 the year you quit smoking.
7 Common Withdrawal Symptoms and How to Manage Them
When you stop smoking, your body and brain have to get used to not having nicotine. You may have some uncomfortable symptoms, such as feelings of anxiety or a hard time concentrating or sleeping. This is called withdrawal. Over time, withdrawal symptoms will fade, as long as you stay smokefree.
Below are seven common nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Knowing what to expect in advance of your quit journey may help you keep on track to quit for good.
Having urges or cravings to smoke.
Feeling irritated, grouchy, or upset.
Feeling jumpy or restless.
Having a hard time concentrating.
Having trouble sleeping.
Feeling hungrier or gaining weight.
Feeling anxious, sad, or depressed.
There are many things you can do to manage your withdrawal symptoms. Quit-smoking medicines can help a lot, and these quitting tips have all been shown to help, with or without medicines:
Make your environment work for you by getting rid of tobacco products, getting support from others, and avoiding temptations.
Distract yourself with other activities.
Find safe substitutes for cigarettes like toothpicks, straws, or cinnamon sticks.
Listen to what the urge says, then talk back!
Ride the waves! Let the urges come and go.
Adjust your medicine.
While feeling withdrawal symptoms, remind yourself that you likely feel this way because your body is getting used to being without nicotine. Take a few deep breaths and remind yourself why you’re quitting.
If you’d like guidance or support in quitting smoking, a quit coach can help you make a plan to quit for good. Counseling can help you prepare to cope with stress, urges to smoke, and other issues you may face when trying to quit. A quit coach can also help you use quit-smoking medicines correctly.
Benefits of Quitting
Quitting smoking has health benefits at any age, no matter how long or how much you have smoked. Even people who have smoked for many years, or who have smoked heavily, will benefit from quitting. Some benefits may include improved heart health, lowered risk of cancer and other diseases, and a longer life.
By knowing what to expect and how to manage withdrawal symptoms, you can stick to your New Year’s resolution to quit smoking. The benefits of quitting are far greater than any withdrawal symptoms, which will fade over time. Make 2022 your time to shine and quit smoking! Happy New Year!
Resources
Smokefree.gov
1-800-QUIT-NOW
