Psychological Symptoms

• Irritability is one of the effects of quitting smoking. Your body is dependent upon nicotine, and the removal of nicotine causes your body to go into withdrawal. This withdrawal also affects your mental stability for a period of time. Inability to concentrate, sleeplessness, anxiousness and lack of patience are also common psychological effects of quitting smoking and can be as difficult to overcome as the physical addiction itself.
  
  

Physical Symptoms

• Physical withdrawals are also to be expected when you quit smoking, including headaches, nausea, congestion, food cravings, fatigue and weight gain, though not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Typically, the first three days are the hardest to cope with.
  
  

Treatment

• Several types of treatments are available to help you overcome the psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms. Over-the-counter nicotine patches and gum can help you deal with cravings as you learn to live without smoking. The patches and gum will help you gradually reduce the nicotine in your system without the negative effects of smoking. You can also obtain prescription medications from your doctor.
  
  

Change in Daily Habits

• Changing your daily habits is key to quitting smoking. For instance, if you smoke first thing in the morning then change your routine. Changing your daily patterns will help you to stop associating smoking with everything you do.
  
  

Overcoming Cravings

• When you feel the urge to smoke it will only last for about three to five minutes, so you can get through it by doing something physical, such as exercising. Find a new hobby to occupy your mind and your hands. Physical activity will also prevent you from trading smoking for eating.
  
  

Diet

• Many people fear they will gain weight if they stop smoking, and it is a fact that you will begin to have more food cravings. So choose to eat fruits and vegetables instead of high-fat and sugary foods, and drink plenty of water, which will help flush toxins out of your system. You can also chew gum, though make sure you choose the sugar-free variety, as you don't want to replace one bad habit with another.
  
  

Support

• Seek all the support you can from family and friends, and when you are experiencing withdrawals call someone until the cravings diminish. Spend time with others who do not smoke. You can also get help through support groups. Do not give up. The longer you can go without tobacco the more likely it is that you will succeed.