Maybe your family has been urging you to do it for a while, or you’ve been meaning to, but it’s now finally the right time: you’re ready to quit your cigarette habit. If you’ve quit caffeine in the past, you know that withdrawal symptoms from any sort of drug aren’t very pleasant. Remember, though, that the temporary discomfort of withdrawal is just one of the side effects when you stop smoking, and that there will be good benefits down the road as well. Be prepared for the side effects when you stop smoking, both bad and good, and remember that the ultimate goal is great health. Here’s a discussion of what to prepare to experience:

Changes In The Body

When you stop smoking, side effects will include a lot of physical sensations that aren’t very comfortable. In particular, keep the aspirin nearby, as you’ll be suffering from headaches during the first few days. If you’ve ever experienced withdrawal from caffeine, you know that those headaches can sometimes feel pretty severe, so your best preparation is with headache medicine, taken sparingly or at the start of your day for the first few days to lessen symptoms. Other side effects when you stop smoking include a sense of tiredness, which is to be expected when you stop the use of a stimulant of a drug like nicotine. Ironically, having trouble sleeping is yet another side effect if you stop smoking, and can be a result of the other withdrawal symptoms you will have when you quit.

Changes In Behavior

Those who stop smoking report side effects in the way they act during the withdrawal period as well. In particular, those who have recently quit report irritability, depression, or feelings of anger during the withdrawal period. While those sorts of feelings are certainly not desirable, keep in mind that this is a temporary problem! If you’re worried about the effect this will have on your friends and family, please let them know before you stop smoking about these side effects so they can prepare and help you through the worst of it. Keep in mind that these sorts of effects should be expected when you quit a stimulant such as nicotine. The biggest trap with the mental as well as the physical side effects is that you’ll feel the urge to go back to smoking just to stop those feelings, but don’t fall into this trap. If you stick with it, you’ll soon pass through the withdrawal phase and be experiencing health benefits that will fur surpass any temporary discomfort. With that in mind, throw out your pack of cigarettes and be ready to get yourself through the hard part! You’ll realize that it’s worth it.