If you’ve been thinking of ways to quit smoking, then you should consider the quit smoking timeline method and the benefits that lie ahead once you do decide a smoking cessation.
The First thing you need to understand is that you must be ready and determined to quit smoking, having that frame of mind will make it much easier, and lowering the odds of bouncing back.
The quit smoking timeline has the same advantage as follow a workout routine or a diet plan, you set your goal to where you want to be 2 weeks from now and you follow through with that plan, and along the way you feel motivated inspired to getting that much closer to your goal and stay bound and determined to quit smoking regardless of potential urges you may encounter along the way.
As I’m sure you’re well aware of, you need to prepare yourself for the process during the quit smoking timeline due to the incredible frustrating moments along the way. As long as you realize that this is not an overnight kick the habit kind of thing, and you know what to expect, makes it a little easier to cope with.
Knowing what to expect and how to deal with the times you feel the desire to deviate from your plan will greatly improve your success to quit smoking, and it’s always helpful to keep an open ear to any quit smoking tips.
Now let’s take a look at the strategy…
Day 1 – The first couple of days of the quit smoking timeline are obviously going to be most difficult, your experience with emotional and physical needs will be high during this time. Most people that start the quit smoking timeline feel sick, loss of concentration and mental frustration. After this period you should regain your normal blood pressure, skin temperature and oxygen level. And the risk of heart attack has greatly reduced than before.
Day 2 – You might feel restless and your cravings will increase. By this time your body is working to rid the nicotine and your nerves have started to re-gain themselves back again. Your blood will be flowing through your body in a way to make you feel a little strange, but this is quite normal.
Day 3 – The third day of the quit smoking timeline may be difficult because your cravings will be somewhat higher. Making you feel very stressed, jittery and short tempered with others. This would be a good time to occupy yourself, such as a walk around the block, clean the house or even read a book.
Day 4 – Although day 4 is a little easier, your cravings will increase due to the lack of nicotine, and you may have constipation, or the opposite during the quit smoking timeline. Your taste and smell may decrease and coughing spells are common, you may even cough up tar-like phlegm, but all this is a healthy sign that your body is detoxifying.
Day 5 – By day five the between urge feeling will become longer and the desire to quit smoking should become easier, your taste and smell should be improving, and you should start noticing that breathing feels more clearly. Also, during this stage you may notice that you might find yourself replacing one habit with another, such as over eating is common. So be careful cause weight gain is associated with quitting smoking due to the over eating.
Day 6 & 7 – The worst is over, less symptoms each day since you stop smoking and your smoking urges will be decreasing significantly by the day. Since you’ll be breathing much easier now that you quit smoking, you should take up some kind of sport or activity and make good use of the increased energy.
Next few months – Over the next few months your lung efficiency can increase by 30% and you’ll start noticing an improvement in body circulation, energy and motivation. Keep getting plenty of exercise such as walking, jogging or what ever your preference may be.
6 to 12 months – By this time next year you will have decreased your risk to developing heart disease by half and notice less fatigue, and coughing and lung related issues have cleared up. Just don’t get to the point when you think that having a smoke now and then won’t hurt, because this is were most former smokers bounce back then you’ll be right back to starting the Quit Smoking Timeline again. Be sure to keep up with any quit smoking tips as much as you can.