Dealing with cravings
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Dealing with cravings
Your body is withdrawing from nicotine and this can be tough.
You’ll probably be getting strong cravings to smoke and feeling irritable or more emotional than usual.
You could experience headaches or feeling sick, you might have an increased appetite and you could get tingling in your hands and feet too.
The good news is this is all totally normal! The intense nicotine cravings usually pass after a few minutes and your unwanted side effects will stop completely after a few weeks.
Using Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) can also help to reduce cravings [
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Beating the cravings
But in the meantime, here’s a few top tips on how to beat those cravings when they hit:
* Distract yourself – make a cuppa or phone a friend
* If you think you're going to give in to your craving, try and wait 10 more minutes – the craving will pass
* Give your mouth something to do. Chew on sugarless gum or a boiled sweet, or munch on raw carrots, celery, nuts or sunflower seeds — something crunchy and satisfying
* Getting active can help distract you from cravings. Even short burst of activity like a brisk walk around the block can make a tobacco craving disappear
* Find ways to take the edge off the stress of a craving – why not try some relaxation techniques like deep-breathing exercises, yoga or listening to calming music.
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distraction
What next?
Our next email bulletin is all about online and digital support to help you quit.
Find out more about nicotine withdrawal symptoms, and how to cope with them, online at the NHS. [
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Visit Live Life Better Derbyshire for further support [
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*Till next time,*
*The Live Life Better Derbyshire team*
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