They say that it takes a full three weeks of cessation for a smoker to cleanse their body of nicotine. After this, of course, there is still the psychological addiction that can carry on for months and even years after the quit date. I remember my mom, who smoked two packs a day for 20-plus years, tell me that she would get one or two panic attacks a year for an entire decade after she quit. That kinda makes sense, as medical experts claim it takes about 10 years for your lungs to de-tar and re-pink.
It's actually been a great 21 days of non-smoking; not what I was expecting at all. Only one night of clammy sweats in the first week; just a couple of relapse nightmares (when you smoke in a dream and wake up believing you actually did); and no major freak-outs or give-ins.
Even though I thought it would be harder, I'm not all that shocked I've done so well. With my obviously declining health over the past two years since I got back from Spain (where I started smoking again, damn Europe), I really felt that if I didn't quit now, I never would. Do or die (sooner), quite literally. The thought of smoking in front of my future children haunted me. Being a mild asthmatic, I was on the fast-track to being tethered to an oxygen canister for life. I would gasp for air after a pathetically small amount of athletic activity. I hated how my basement, my clothes and I would smell like an old tradesman who'd smoked for yonks.
And therein lies the simple secret to quitting: you have to genuinely want to, and be prepared to change your lifestyle to remove the trappings that led you to smoke in the first place. After that, it's surprisingly easy-peasy. Onward!
5 comments:
Yay for no smoking! Now if you could just convince my family to see things that way, that would be great.
And now I don't have to buy you that carton of smokes I promised you that I was never really going to buy you anyway.
I couldn't agree more. Your success in quitting (and anything for that matter) is perfectly correlated with your motivation/desire to do so.
Personally, I never grappled too much with not smoking, but rather with abandoning the life-style I had associated with it for six years, which includes: drinking, raves/clubs/drugs, being around others who smoke, etc. The true test is being in your version of these situations and being able to resist.
I'm thrilled to have one less friend who smokes because I don't think about cigarettes unless I see someone smoking!
Seriously though, congratulations are in order. This is really impressive.
Yes Brandon I am so proud of you too. You're being very mature about all of this. I'm impressed.
- Mama 'Pril
I've said it before, but I am trully, genuinely proud of you! This is probably the greatest thing you could do for yourself.
and how. i agree with the others, and i'm so proud that you're doing this. from what i heard in quebec you have really started taking care of yourself, and it's truly inspiring. keep it up!
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