Living with Heart Disease…
Smoking: Working Through Withdrawal As your body adjusts to not smoking, you will most likely go through a short period of withdrawal. This will pass. Talk with your health care provider and cardiac team about what your going through. The following are tips to help you manage the first few weeks without smoking.
Be Prepared
Munch on Healthy Snacks
Nicotine is a powerful and addictive drug. Not smoking can bring on Here are a few snacks to keep your withdrawal symptoms including mood mouth busy while your urges to smoke swings, lower energy and trouble pass: thinking clearly. These symptoms will • Crunchy snacks: apple slices, go away in time. carrot or celery sticks with nonfat dip, pretzels, rice cakes Keep Yourself Busy or air-popped popcorn Find activities to keep you busy. This will act as a distraction when you get the urge to smoke. Activity makes it less likely for you crave a cigarette. Below are a few activities for you to try when the urge strikes: • Garden • Play a game with your kids or grandkids • Walk around the block • Stretch your arms and shoulders • Drink a glass of water • Brush your teeth • Go outside to get some fresh air • Exercise
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• Sweet snacks: angel food cake, low-fat cookies or muffins, sugarless gum or hard candy • Creamy snacks: fat-free pudding, yogurt or applesauce