Smoking might be one of the hardest habits you will ever break, especially as many experts say it’s even more challenging to give up nicotine than heroin or cocaine. However, knowing that you can feel better and improve your health by kicking this habit for good, it might be something you consider doing.
As you begin your journey, you may encounter many challenges along the way, such as withdrawal symptoms and general feelings of agitation and discomfort. While challenging to overcome, you may feel better by taking some of the following steps.
Replacing It With a Healthier Habit
Many people wonder, I quit smoking, why do I feel worse? It’s only natural to assume that you immediately feel better when you quit an unhealthy habit like smoking cigarettes. However, after a period of time without nicotine, you can begin to experience chemical and even psychological withdrawal symptoms, such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, hunger, and even flu-like symptoms.
These symptoms are natural and expected, but you may like to ease their effects by replacing smoking with a healthier habit such as CBD flower until you can competently manage nicotine withdrawal and remain smoke-free.
Rely On a Support Network
You might be worried about telling friends and family that you’re quitting smoking in case you fail, but those same people can be the support network you need to succeed. Whenever you feel like having a cigarette, you can call upon them for words of encouragement and distraction when you need it the most.
If you would still prefer not to tell your loved ones about your goals, you might see the value in joining an online or in-person support group to be supported and support others in your exact situation. Nicotine withdrawal can cause a great deal of stress and discomfort, and you don’t need to experience it on your own.
Think About the Benefits
When you’re feeling intense cravings, it’s hard to look past those feelings and see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, you may find strength and feel better when you remember how many benefits are associated with quitting smoking.
It reduces the risk of disease and death associated with cardiovascular disease, rapidly improves your high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and even reduces markers of hypercoagulability and inflammation. The more immediate benefits of quitting smoking are even more rewarding as you come to terms with your change in routine, such as better taste and smell and money savings.
Remember the 4 Ds of Quitting Smoking
Nicotine cravings can be so intense that you may not know how to make it through each wave without reaching for a cigarette. You likely know you’re better off without them, but you also want to experience momentary relief from those feelings.
Remember the 4Ds of quitting smoking to make it through each craving. Delay the action of smoking for five minutes, do some deep breathing exercises, drink water, or do something else. Essentially, distracting yourself is how you may be able to kick those cravings to the curb and put yourself in a strong position to quit smoking for good.
Focus On Your Health
Nicotine withdrawal can make you feel unwell for several days, a week, or even longer. You might also feel aimless as you’re not using parts of your day to smoke. Take the time to focus on your health, which might remove your focus from what you believe you’re missing out on.
Since smoking can sometimes increase your appetite, put healthy eating habits in place and make exercise an essential part of your week. You might even like to join an exercise group or gym to improve your health and take your mind off smoking.
Focusing on your health might also enable you to combat some of your nicotine withdrawal-related symptoms. For example, deep breathing exercises might allow you to fight your cravings and restlessness, while resting and taking it easy may be worthwhile if you experience cold-like symptoms, light-headedness, and anxiety.
Enjoy a New Hobby
Smoking is an expensive habit, and it may have been consuming any spare money you had to put toward the luxuries of life. Now that you’re not purchasing cigarettes, you might consider taking up a new hobby since you might be able to afford to do so.
That hobby can be both a distraction and a passion and could be something like gardening, sports, or hiking. You might be surprised at how easy it can be to distract yourself if you do something you love.
Feeling lost, unwell, anxious, and stressed, is expected when you quit smoking. However, there are ways to feel better while learning what it’s like not to be a smoker. Take note of these tips below, and you may be on your way to feeling at your very best.
