Quitting Smoking for Dummies

After almost twenty years of smoking which would also be my one last vice from a healthy lifestyle, I quit. I just wanted to share what I did, how I did it and exactly what I went through after quitting smoking.

The First Three Days

The first three days had to be the worst and everything I looked at online did not prepare me for what it would really be like. I had some symptoms that were very akin to what I had heard from hard core drug users as having. Like people addicted to heroin, I went through vomiting, the shakes, and a severe physical reaction to not having nicotine coming into my system. The only thing that kept me going through this point was exactly how much money I was saving and the thought of how much better my health would be.

The End of the First Week

After the first three days everything started to get easier. I developed a nasty cough though from my lungs clearing them selves out somewhat. I also found myself being very edgy and temperamental with people. The only thing I can describe the cough as is having a severe bronchitis or a flu/cold that settled into my lungs. I found the easiest way through this was to take a mucus relief product that loosened up the mucus and made it easier to get rid of.

Two weeks out

After two weeks Just about all my symptoms are gone except the occasional craving to have a cigarette. I found that usually within three minutes that craving would be gone also. I've also found that I can breathe easier and from what my better half has said since I stopped smoking it has helped my snoring problem some also. So far the benefits are out weighing the withdrawal symptoms.

Tips and Tricks to Help Quit

The first thing I would suggest to do is to Clean. I don't mean just walk around and dust I mean grab the strong smelling wipes and go around wiping down everything. Then break out an air freshener and start spraying it on anything that has fabric and could hold the smell of cigarettes.

The next thing is you have to find something to occupy your hands and mouth. The trick that worked for me was cinnamon tooth picks. These are a great smoking cessation aid they occupy the mouth and the hands because well I have never been able to not take one out of my mouth at some point as the cinnamon is generally hot and burns after prolonged chewing/sucking on them.

Bonus - My recipe for Cinnamon toothpicks!

4oz of Cinnamon oil/Cinnamon Candy Flavoring
Wooden Toothpicks
Small Container that will hold about 50 toothpicks upright and has a sealable lid.

Pour the 4oz of oil/flavoring into the container. Then place 50 toothpicks into the container so that one side is in the oil/flavoring. Seal the container and let it sit over night. Remove the toothpicks from the container and place them on wax paper to dry. Make sure you reseal the container so you can use the oil/flavoring again as you need more cinnamon toothpicks to use.