Causes and effects of Anxiety when quitting smoking
Anxiety when quitting smoking: Getting rid of old habits is not at all easy and quitting smoking, it is more than proven, that it generates a lot of anxiety and turns into a bad mood, nerves, hungrier than usual, hypersensitivity, physical discomfort, insomnia and even tachycardia. Because of these side effects, many smokers consider it more dangerous to quit than to continue with the vice. However, we find good alternatives and supplements that help to quit smoking without it being a vital challenge. Many smokers abandon the idea of quitting, attributing it to the fear of getting fat because of the anxiety it creates for them. Proper nutrition is the key to overcoming the anxiety phase successfully.
Quitting a drug as addictive as tobacco creates anxiety, it is cause-effect. There’s no doubt about it. Many women prefer not to quit smoking because they recognize that their body weight will increase in the first months between 3 and 4 kilos, but it is important to know that this fact does not pose any health risks. Extra pounds are not the real excuse to quit smoking since this weight gain is only temporary and is perfectly controllable. In addition, the pounds that are gained at the beginning can be lost as easily as they have been taken. The reason lies in the fact that once the overalls and anxiety disappear, the uncontrollable urge to put something in your mouth, are also lost. The solution: follow a balanced diet from the beginning to avoid falling into the temptation to eat a lot and badly. It should be borne in mind that the first 4 months after quitting the habit respond to a metabolic change that is the anxiety phase that we all know and is the cause of many foods working as “anxiolytics”.
The National Committee for the Prevention of Smoking published the “Survey on knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors in relation to tobacco consumption”, in which it was found that one in four women and 5.5% of men did not quit smoking because of the fear of getting fat. It is true that the usual thing is that a person who says goodbye to tobacco gets fat in the first months, between two and four kilos. It is essential that they assume this fact and do not underestimate it because it can become an excuse to have a cigarette between the lips again. But those extra pounds should not be a cause for concern because they do not originate as a result of bad eating habits, but from a passing disorder in meals, mainly caused by the anxiety of quitting smoking.
Food should be a personal challenge, an ally, a great help to feel better along with the well-being that means not being hooked on an external element that also becomes more expensive every day in our country. However, those who do not take care of their diet and see it as an ally instead of as a very attractive trap, suffer from great anxiety. Usually, all the symptoms derived from anxiety finally join the but of all: coping with the anguish felt when eating disorderly and too much, especially fatty and sweet foods.
The key against anxiety or “monkey”
Against this tendency to eat uncontrollably and without awareness, the eating plan of an ex-smoker is based on the following pillars:
- Help cleanse the body of tobacco toxins by drinking plenty of water a day, doing deep breathing exercises and avoiding places full of smoke.
- Calm anxiety to overcome nicotine withdrawal by exercising outdoors or in a gym or simply, keeping your mind and hands occupied.
- Learn to eat healthy to stay at a healthy weight by increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables.
- Do not put on more than four kilos in the first 4 months after quitting smoking, avoiding bad habits such as snacking between meals if you didn’t do it before either.
- Do not start a weight loss diet until six months after quitting smoking. That will be the time to return to the previous weight.
How to fight anxiety
- Counteract the increased production of adrenaline that produces nervousness with exercise.
- Eat 5 times a day in small quantities so as not to feel voracious hunger.
- Include in the daily diet foods with relaxing nutrients such as nuts, natural pineapple, oat flakes with milk, lettuce salads, etc.
- Always carry low-calorie foods on hand for times of crisis, such as chewing gum, sugar-free candies, strawberries, orange wedges, herbal teas, etc.
Quitting any addiction can cause a lot of anxiety and depression but there are many very effective techniques and methods that can help you.
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