How to Avoid Side Effects From Quitting Smoking

Worrying about the side effects from quitting smoking should not cause you to keep smoking. Usually the cravings, mood swings, jitteriness, and weight gain are minor when compared to the terrible damage being done by cigarettes. And these things typically go away after some time, whereas continuing with smoking means constant and permanent damage to one’s health. It’s also true that you can plan on how to avoid these side effects from quitting smoking and can minimize them as much as possible. Let’s see how that can be done.

One of the side effects from quitting smoking is jitteriness and nervousness. This is the body sending out signals that it wants the nicotine you’re now avoiding, much like how the body will create hunger pains when it wants food. But unlike hunger pains, these side effects from quitting smoking will go away eventually if you ignore them. With hunger pains, you do need to eat in order to quell them, but with jitteriness and nervousness they’ll eventually go away as the nicotine gets flushed out of the system. Hands also get fidgety during this time because they’re used to being occupied with a cigarette. You can plan on this and combat this by taking up a hobby or practice that will keep your hands busy. Consider knitting, scrapbooks, putting models together, or anything along those lines. The worst thing you can do is just sit in front of the television with your hands empty, nervous, jittery, fidgety, and constantly on edge. Don’t assume that these side effects from quitting smoking will be something minor as they’re often a reason why many go back to cigarettes. Instead, plan on having some problems with them and plan on facing them head-on.

Another one of the side effects from quitting smoking that many people wonder about is weight gain. While it’s very common for someone to put on weight when they give up cigarettes, this is not something that’s automatic or a “given.” As with all other side effects from quitting smoking, you simply need to prepare for this and be ready for cravings. Fill up on fruits and vegetables. Make high fiber muffins which also help to fill you up. Keep your kitchen stocked with healthy items to snack on such as low-fat popcorn, celery, and baked crackers. Ask friends and family to help by giving you some support in getting out of the house and getting active when cravings kick in so you’re not just sitting in front of the television. Being active can also help with side effects from quitting smoking as it can control possible weight gain, and the sweating you experience when you’re active helps to flush nicotine and toxins out of your body.

Yes, there are some side effects from quitting smoking but these can be addressed and handled appropriately. They’re also typically preferable to the idea of continuing with smoking, considering the costs to one’s health when you do smoke!