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“What’s going to happen when I quit smoking?” is a question we hear often. The answer to that is important because being prepared for what lies ahead is one way to help you get started on your quit journey. Read on to learn about what you may encounter on your quit journey and tips to help you along your way.

Withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking.

Fighting your addiction to nicotine can produce several withdrawal symptoms including intense cravings, anxiety, tension or frustration, restlessness, depressed mood, and increased appetite. But don’t fret. That is precisely why we offer aids like Nicorette gum and the NicoDerm CQ nicotine patch, which can help to curb these withdrawal symptoms and increase your chances of quitting.

Do people always gain weight when they quit smoking?

Some people do gain a few pounds when they quit smoking. You can try to minimize this by maintaining normal, healthy habits like exercising and eating a balanced diet.

Saying “no” to a cigarette when you’re stressed-out.

It’s true: most smokers use cigarettes as a crutch to combat symptoms of stress. So when you make the decision to quit smoking, you have to be prepared to find alternate ways of relieving those stressful feelings. We recommend exercise, which can help boost endorphins and get rid of stress. And feel free to get creative! Dancing, yoga, even a simple walk can be a great way to help beat stress and help curb your cigarette cravings.

The “R” word: Relapse.

Mistakes happen. People slip up. But just because you have a cigarette doesn’t mean you have to start over or abandon your quit altogether. Start back on your nicotine replacement therapy immediately, as it will increase your chances of quitting. Then re-evaluate what it was that made you slip up: what was a trigger? How can you avoid it in the future? Asking yourself these questions can prevent you from making the same cigarette mistake twice.