If you are trying to stop using tobacco products, you may want to try a form of nicotine replacement therapy, such as gum or patches, to help you overcome this addiction. It might also be a good idea to have plenty of candy or chewing gum on hand, especially if you have used chewing tobacco. In some cases, taking a walk or performing rigorous outdoor exercise can help alleviate cravings. Quitting with a friend is often easier than trying by yourself, so you may want to develop a plan for handling nicotine withdrawal with a buddy.
One nicotine withdrawal side effect can be extreme hunger. This often means you might eat more than usual while you are trying to quit smoking or chewing. Having some readily available healthy snacks, such as carrot or celery sticks, can sometimes help ease cravings while keeping hunger pangs at bay. It can also help you minimize the weight gain sometimes associated with giving up tobacco.
Keep some gum or hard candy with you at all times in case you get a craving for nicotine. Many times, chewing on a stick of gum or sucking on a piece of hard candy helps to minimize these urges. In some cases, a menthol cough drop can also aid in relieving withdrawal symptoms.
You may want to consider trying products like nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges. These usually allow you to gradually reduce the level of nicotine in the body, so the withdrawal symptoms are normally less severe. If you smoke, these could help you concentrate on breaking the habit of using the hands to smoke, rather than worrying about the actual nicotine withdrawal.
Exercise can be a good way to ease the signs of nicotine withdrawal. Get up and take a walk whenever you feel an intense craving for nicotine. You could also go jogging or ride a bicycle to help clear your mind and lungs while delivering oxygen to the blood cells. Performing these activities could have a calming effect as well.
If you know someone else who would like to quit using tobacco products, it may be a good idea to quit together. This way you could encourage each other throughout the process. You can set goals for quitting and celebrate your accomplishments together. This may even result in being able to break an addiction to nicotine sooner than doing it alone.
The severity of nicotine cravings will likely depend on the amount of time you have used tobacco and the frequency of its use. You may notice that nicotine withdrawal symptoms become less intense as time goes on. With a persistent effort, you may enjoy the health benefits and financial savings associated with being tobacco-free.