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It is a drug and has many different effects on the body at the same time. |
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After just one puff it begins to act on your central nervous system, brain and other parts of the body. |
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It actually stimulates your system, even though it makes you feel relaxed. |
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Nicotine affects chemicals in your brain and, after a puff, you usually feel good for a moment or two, which is why many smokers view smoking as stress relief when under pressure. |
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Some areas of the brain are pleasure related and when stimulated give the feeling of relaxation and reduced anxiety. |
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irritability |
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impatience |
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hostility |
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anxiety |
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depressed mood |
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difficulty concentrating |
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restlessness |
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decreased heart rate |
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increased appetite or weight gain |
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Cravings. Each one lasts 3 - |
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Headaches (occasional), indigestion, nausea, diarrhoea and sore throats rarely last more than four days. |
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Insomnia and an increased tendency to dream. Tea and coffee contain caffeine and, without nicotine, your body absorbs much more of this stimulant, which can make you restless, irritable and sleepless for a while. |
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Coughing most commonly caused by the cilia that line your lungs cleaning out the tar and mucus. |
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Irritability, depression or anxiety are closely connected to the physical action of nicotine leaving your body and will lessen over one to three weeks. |
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Increased appetite and possible weight gain. |
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Tiredness and lack of concentration. |
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Confront cravings head on and learn to 'overcome the urge to smoke at will through sheer determination'. |
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The choice to quit smoking and the responsibility for not smoking is yours alone. |
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Cravings only last 3- |
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Focus on the reasons you decided to quit. Take a look at your quitting plan. |
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Take 3 or 4 deep breaths. Breathe in slowly through the nose and fill your lungs, then breathe out again slowly through the mouth. |
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Drink water. Sip it slowly and try to savour the taste. This will also help to satisfy any increased appetite. |
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Keep busy. Take your mind off smoking by going for a walk, doing an odd job around the home or in the garden or call a friend or relative on the phone |