Health Articles : Stop Smoking
Stop Smoking : Effects Of Quitting Smoking
Quit Smoking Cold TurkeyIf you are to stay away from nicotine permanently, statistics show that the most effective ..... Mark Twain said, "Quitting smoking is easy. I've done it a thousand times." Why is quitting and staying quit hard for so many people?
It is because of nicotine addiction. Nicotine reduces anxiety, raises mood levels and increases alertness. And when the smokers quit, the effort of quitting increases levels of anxiety and depression.
People who are fairly dependent on cigarettes need to incorporate multiple sources of help in their quitting plan to maximize their odds of success. Those who are less dependent on cigarettes may be successful by using only a few sources of help. However, the more help you have, the better your chances of quitting and staying smoke-free. Help sources can include support and encouragement from family and friends, professional counseling and assistance, chemical products such as gum or patches and if you are really ready for an enjoyable stop smoking experience, try a spa or fitness retreat.
Quitting smoking is a two-step process that includes:
1) Overcoming the physical addiction to nicotine, and
2) Breaking the smoking habit.
Of all the effects of quitting smoking the most which occurs due to the absence of nicotine is the withdrawal symptoms, which are both physical and mental. And the withdrawal symptoms may include any of the following:
* dizziness (which may only last 1-2 days in the beginning)
* depression
* feelings of frustration and anger
* irritability
* sleep disturbances, including having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep and having bad dreams or even nightmares
* trouble concentrating
* restlessness
* headache
* tiredness
* increased appetite
These symptoms can lead the smoker to again start smoking cigarettes again to boost blood levels of nicotine back to a level where there are no symptoms.
Habits are hard to break. It's best instead to replace the old bad habit with a new good habit. For instance, instead of having a cigarette with your morning coffee, go for a walk or eat a carrot stick.
After quitting and getting through the first couple of weeks, staying off cigarettes is critical and is not always easy. Encouragement from the society as well as staying positive in quitting smoking is effective to kick off the habit of smoking.
By quitting smoking, the health benefits are plenty. There is a cut down in the risk of having lung disease, heart attacks or cancer. Apart from this the major health benefit is the increase in the life expectancy after being a non-smoker.
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