There are two types of cravings people experience in the early days of smoking cessation.
Physical cravings are your body's reaction to nicotine withdrawal. You may feel a tightness in your throat or belly, accompanied by feelings of tension or mild anxiety. Once you quit using nicotine, the worst of physical withdrawal is over within 3-5 days.
Video: What Happens When You Quit Smoking?
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Psychological cravings are triggered by the events in our daily lives. Years of smoking taught us to react to literally everything by lighting a cigarette. When we were happy, we'd celebrate by lighting up. When we got angry, smoking would calm us down, or so we thought. Tired? Smoke a cigarette to stay awake. Hungry? Feed yourself a smoke. This list goes on.
Practice and Patience
How you choose to react to a craving can either increase or decrease its power over you. Try a little reverse psychology - instead of tensing up for a fight when the urge to smoke hits, relax and mentally lean into it. Let the craving wash over you, and accept it as a sign of healing, which is just what it is. The urge will run its course and pass. Practice makes perfect with this technique. You'll get the hang of it in time and will find it empowering.
Healing from nicotine addiction is a process of gradual release that happens one day at a time. Be patient with yourself and allow recovery to unfold for you as it will. Enjoy the journey, and be sure to keep your focus on the day you have in front of you. Your power to affect change in your life is always in the present - so make today count.
Related:
- Managing The Urge to Smoke - Forum Member Tips
Healthy Monday encourages us to think of every Monday as a day that we can begin work anew on goals that we have for ourselves. If you're still smoking, put your cigarettes down and get started on your quit program today.
We all have the ability to quit smoking successfully, and we all deserve a life that is free of addiction. Honor your life by choosing Monday as the day to start and reinforce your quit program.
You can quit smoking ... and we’re here to help you, one simple Monday at a time.
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Study findings published in the August 15 issue of the American Heart Association's journal Stroke indicate that the risk of stroke for young women who smoke is directly related to the number of cigarettes they smoke.