If you or someone close to you have ever tried to give up smoking, you will no doubt know something of the side effects. These withdrawal symptoms are the reason most people fail when they first try to go without cigarettes, and they can affect us both physically and mentally. However, just by being prepared for the symptoms and understanding how they are all part of the healing process can be a massive boost for anyone hoping to give up for good.

Physical Side Effects

If your body has become accustomed to a regular nicotine fix, it is going to seriously miss it when you quit. Not only that, but it will let you know it is missing it in a variety of ways. Sweating, shaking, dizziness and lethargy are all common side effects you experience in the few days after your last smoke. These are often the result of a drop in your blood sugar levels caused by no longer smoking. In turn this can also lead to a craving for sweet foods to boost blood sugar levels, and can easily result in weight gain.

A temporary increase in coughing and shortness of breath can be expected, a result of the body clearing out the build up of tar in the lungs. The sinuses will also start to get a good clear out too, usually causing headaches. Insomnia and sleep disturbances, such as nightmares, are also likely to occur. These are a direct result of the stress of making such a huge change to your everyday life, that cigarettes had become a major part of.

Mental Side Effects

Psychology not only plays an important role in deciding to take up smoking in the first place, but is also prevalent when trying to quit.  As with the physical side effects, they tend to hit their peak a few days after you quit and can last a few weeks.

Many people use nicotine as a mood lifter. Without this regular psychological boost, it is common to experience bouts of depression during your battle to be smoke free. This can lead to frustration at not being able to use nicotine to regulate your mental state, and will often result in anger and loss of temper.

Other common mental side effects you may encounter are anxiety, irritability, boredom and restlessness. These are generally the result the fact that a smoker often has a cigarette to fill up gaps in their day. When you quit you will tend to find yourself at a loose end very often, and not know what to do with yourself.

The good news with all of the above side effects, both physical and mental, is that they are temporary and cause no lasting damage. They will peak in the first few days, and then slowly fade over the next few weeks. It may seem difficult not to give in and have a cigarette when you first experience these withdrawal symptoms, but once you ride out the worst of it you will be a better, stronger and healthier person for it.