Top Tips for Getting You Through the First Week After Quitting Smoking – The first week after you quit smoking is undeniably the most difficult. The mental and physical effects of nicotine withdrawal can leave you feeling as if the world will never be the same again- but hold on in there, as it’s only a temporary struggle.
Over time, your body has become dependant on the chemicals you’re inhaling from your cigarettes- so when the supply gets cut off, you’re likely to notice some withdrawal symptoms. Physically, you may feel some flu-like symptoms, while mentally you could experience irritability, anxiousness, and an increased appetite, among other things.
While quitting smoking is never going to be easy, here are some things you can do to make the first week more bearable:
Eat A Healthy, Balanced Diet
During the withdrawal process, your body is working in overdrive to remove all the harmful toxins from your system. Eating nutrient-rich fruits and veggies will give your body the fuel it needs to get through the process.
Since you’re likely to have an increased appetite for a while, it’s a good idea to prepare some healthy snacks to reach towards whenever you get any cravings. Hummus and carrot sticks, apples and nut butter and rice cakes are all low-calorie, nutritious snacks that your body will love.
Find Ways To Fight Your Cravings
After you’ve quit smoking, it’s a given that you’re going to have more than a few moments when your cravings get the better of you- especially in the first week. It helps to have a plan in place so that when you do feel those cravings creeping in, you know exactly how to banish them.
Many people decide that instead of quitting cold-turkey, they’ll switch to an alternate- albeit more healthy- source of nicotine. You could try using a nicotine patch, or if your hands and mouth need to keep busy, then a vape pen is always a good option.
Sites like Aqua Vape offer a range of different vaping devices to suit your needs. The great thing about vaping is that you have a variety of different flavoured vape liquids to choose from, meaning that you’ll never get bored of your vape. It’s the perfect substitute for a normal cigarette when you feel those cravings kicking in.
Spend Time with Friends and Family
When we’re by ourselves, we’re much more likely to give into the urge to do things that we know we shouldn’t. Let a close friend of family member know that you’re quitting beforehand, so that they’re not only there to keep you accountable but can also offer a shoulder to lean on if you need it.
In your first week when your withdrawals are hitting the hardest, you might not feel like making any plans. But the simple act of inviting a friend round to watch a film or have a pamper session is a great distraction from any urges you may be feeling. Try not to spend time with anyone who smokes at first, as this can lead to an inevitable relapse.
Poppy Watt