What to Expect After Stopping Smoking

You are going to go through some mental and physical changes after stopping smoking. Some will be while you’re going through withdrawal and are temporary.  They do go away even if you think you’ll never get over them, really they do!  Others will be permanent changes in your health and well being.  Knowing what to expect after stopping smoking will help you cope with the changes and look forward to the rewards.

Believe it or not, your body will start to heal itself within 20 minutes of your last cigarette.  Your blood pressure decreases, your pulse drops and you have an increase in the body temperature of your hands and feet. I think that’s pretty amazing!

Withdrawal from nicotine will start at about 4 hours after your last smoke.  Symptoms of withdrawal will usually peak the first 24 to 48 hours.  These will be the toughest and most temporary.  These withdrawal feelings will stay with you at a lesser strength for the first 2 weeks.  This is the most critical time to get help and when most people relapse.

Some of the symptoms you may experience are dry mouth, anxiety, constipation, inability to concentrate, cough, headache, fatigue or insomnia.  Expect to be uncomfortable, but stick with it.  Your body is going through withdrawal from a very addictive chemical.   Its easier to cope with these feelings when you’re prepared.  A couple of ways of coping is to drink lots and lots of water and be physically active.

After the first 3 weeks your body will no longer crave the nicotine, but your mind will.  Smoking is both a mental and physical addiction which makes it so difficult to break.  You really won’t feel comfortable in your new habit of non smoking for about 6 to 8 weeks, but that’s how long it takes to break or establish any habit.

So where’s the good stuff you ask.  There’s lots.  Food will taste better, really it does! You will feel a lessening of that tightening in your chest.  Blond or white hair will lose its nicotine stains.  Your skin will regain some of its elasticity and crows feet will fade.  Then there’s all those healthy benefits of your bones being less brittle and being less susceptible to diseases, that includes the common cold, and your sex life getting a boost.  All great things to look forward to after stopping smoking.