What To Expect When Quitting Smoking

A common question for those about to quit is, "What should I expect?"

Coming off nicotine will trigger withdrawal symptoms that vary widely from individual to individual. One thing that seems true though, is that the symptoms seem to be worse and longer lasting for people who have been smokers for longer periods of time. So if you're considering quitting the cancer sticks, it will be easier on you if you start sooner rather than later.

Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Headache
• Tightness in chest
• Nausea
• Feeling of fatigue or exhaustion
• Insomnia (quite frustrating when combined with the above)
• Increased appetite (almost universal, this one)
• Depression
• Irritability
  
• Unusually vivid dreams

Just remember that whatever symptoms you're experiencing will fade soon enough, sometimes surprisingly abruptly.

Most of the nicotine is gone from your system between three and seven days after your last cigarette. If you're still experiencing discomfort after that time, it's good advice to adopt the mindset that the worst of your symptoms will be disappearing any time now.

Think mind over matter, and use it to your advantage. Don't talk yourself into having prolonged withdrawal symptoms.

It's been around three and a half days for me, and I still might be just a little more irritable than normal (it can be hard to decide if this is even a withdrawal symptom for me, as I can go from zero to crabass in less than four seconds if I haven't gotten enough beauty sleep), but otherwise my worst thing might be the not-quite-quenchable tendency to eat anything sweet that finds itself in my field of vision.

Maybe I'll get on the scale tomorrow.