Smoking is the habit of many people around the world. It is a way to enjoy a break and have some coffee with friends, but there are numerous harmful effects of nicotine. It is one of the causes of lung cancer and heart disease, but it can also have numerous other health consequences. This is why it is necessary to kick this bad habit and turn to some other healthier habits that will improve the quality of your life.
Considering that nicotine is a stimulant and a sedative, the body gets used to the effect it produces, which is why it is very addictive. The first effect is the release of adrenaline, which is followed by the release of glucose. The user notices increased heart rate, the change in breathing activity, as well as the change in blood pressure. Nicotine affects the pancreas in such a way that the production of insulin decreases. In addition, dopamine gets released, which is one of the main reasons why people get addicted to it. It is an experience that brings pleasure and the effect it causes is very similar to the one when people consume drugs. When all the things get taken into consideration, it becomes clear why it is necessary to quit.
Table of Contents
Nicotine detox effects
img source: powerofpositivity.com
Making the decision to quit smoking is the initial step in improving your life in numerous ways. It may not be easy, but you can be sure that it will be worth it! Once you stop smoking, you will start noticing numerous effects on your body. One of the first positive effects, when you quit smoking, is that your blood pressure will get reduced.
However, many people also experience headaches, which is one of the withdrawal symptoms. Considering that cigarettes contain more than twenty different substances, it may take around two weeks until your body gets rid of them. All of this depends on the period that the person consumed cigarettes, how many were consumed daily, and how healthy the person’s nutrition is.
The withdrawal symptoms are the strongest during the first few days up to a few weeks. During the first week, people struggle the most to stick to their decision to quit. However, as time goes, it becomes easier and easier. The most common psychological effects that the user may feel are anxiety, stress, irritability, sleep issues, depression, restlessness, issues with concentration, and increased appetite.
How to quit smoking?
img source: ebmpodcast.com
In order to help yourself and improve your health, you need to find some reason that will be powerful enough to keep you going and help you stick to your decision. If you need support throughout this process, you can ask for help from professionals. Clinics such as infiniterecovery.com are places where people who wish to turn their life around can find the help they need and go through this process much easier. With the help of experienced professionals, you will feel guided, which can mean a lot when struggling with such a challenging situation.
Some people opt for nicotine replacement therapy to go through the withdrawal process easier. This is helpful to a certain extent because it can help you fight the urge to smoke a cigarette. There are patches, lozenges, and nicotine gums that can make the process easier. This way, you will get a small dose of nicotine and first recover from the habit of holding a cigarette in your hands. Then you can slowly reduce the number of patches or gums you use until you finally quit.
Support of the family members is crucial throughout the process, so it is necessary to talk to them before you begin your journey. Warn them about the withdrawal symptoms such as irritability in order to avoid the tension that may push you to start smoking again. Love and understanding can do a lot for a person struggling to make such an important step. Also, you can try counseling because going deeper into your behavioral patterns may help you think of a better way to manage your stress instead of just reaching out for a pack of cigarettes.
Keep in mind that you should be gentle to yourself. Try to do something that you like and enjoy that will give you that boost of positive energy. Go swimming or watch a good comedy. Physical activity is a great way to increase the level of feel-good chemicals in your body that will help you overcome the difficulties during your recovery. It is necessary to turn to some soothing activities that will be a good and positive replacement. Even cleaning the house can be a good way to stop thinking about smoking.
Focus on good nutrition
img source: eatthis.com
Smokers are usually under a high risk of vitamin and mineral deficiency, so during your recovery, you need to focus on consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables. You will probably enjoy the taste of it even more because smoking impacts the sense of taste to a great extent. Ginseng tea is very beneficial for people going through this experience. It is a known fact that it can improve mood and memory, which is affected during a withdrawal period. It can also boost your immune system and help your body fight the withdrawal symptoms.
Consuming milk and dairy can help smokers to stay away from cigarettes because it makes their taste worse. This is good to know, especially because dairy products are great for giving your body the calcium it needs. Also, many people say that consuming mints and chewing gum can be pretty helpful during this process. It will keep your mouth busy and help you realize how good it feels to have a fresh breath. It will help you forget all about your ugly habit. It is important to say that consuming plenty of water is essential too. It will help you feel better, but it will also help you with unpleasant problems such as constipation or coughing. All in all, it is important to stay motivated and do this for your health and a better life!
