Nicotine withdrawal can be prevented by simply never using tobacco products! Unfortunately, some people don’t think about the withdrawal symptoms associated with this harmful substance until it is too late and the body is already screaming! Luckily, there are some home remedies that will help to lessen the withdrawal symptoms associated with nicotine and get you on your way to a tobacco free lifestyle.

Replace the Addiction

First and foremost, every addiction (whether harmful or not) must be replaced in order to be overcome. What this means is that nicotine, although harmful to the body, can be overcome but only by providing the body with an equally satisfying addiction that is not harmful to the body. Some people replace nicotine use with exercise, low calorie foods, or gum chewing. No matter what your replacement for the addiction, the very first step to stopping the use of tobacco products and overcoming the withdrawal symptoms is to replace the addiction.

Foods to Help Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

Nicotine withdrawal is 20% physical and 80% mental! If you can get over the mental association of nicotine addiction then the rest is pretty simple. There are many foods that will help you to cope with nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as gum, fresh fruits and vegetables, hard candies, or any type of food that causes you to have to chew for a long time. The chewing is a way of helping the body to forget that it wants a cigarette, cigar, or chew.

Preventing Headaches from Nicotine Withdrawal

Many people get headaches when they quit using tobacco products. This is just the body’s way of saying that is wants something. Headaches can be overcome in a variety of ways. First, take an anti inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen when you start to feel a headache coming on. Next, lay down and relax for a while placing a cool wash cloth on your head. Finally, allow the body to coach itself through the headache but make sure not to relapse and use any tobacco products.

Reward Yourself Throughout the Withdrawal Phase

Keep in mind that nicotine withdrawal symptoms usually only last about 2 weeks following the stopped use of tobacco products. Throughout the two week period in which you suffer the worst of the withdrawal symptoms, reward yourself each time you feel a symptom coming on.

For instance, if you suffer from nicotine headaches as part of the withdrawal, reward yourself when the headache is gone by doing something that you enjoy such as shopping at your favorite store, eating your favorite desert, or watching a movie that you love. Additionally, with the money that is saved by no longer purchasing tobacco products, you can afford to buy yourself some added luxuries that you otherwise may not have been able to afford.

Each time you make it past another day the withdrawal symptoms associated with nicotine will lessen until you awake one day to find the symptoms completely gone. Throughout the entire withdrawal phase, reward the mind and body with special little gifts that remind you of how great it truly is that you no longer use tobacco products!