Moods

You may have low moods, bad moods, increased anxiety or irritability when you stop smoking. These are temporary feelings and will get easier after the first four weeks. You may over react to things that normally wouldn’t bother you. This is normal.  You are not used to coping with life without cigarettes and it may make you irritable. Try to find new ways of coping with emotions like anger, upset, annoyance, stress.

These tips may help you cope:

• Remind yourself that your choice to smoke or not to smoke is still there.
• Discover new ways of dealing with negative feelings rather than reaching for a cigarette.
• Remind yourself that the feeling is temporary; it will go away.
• Congratulate yourself for coping with life without smoking.
• Ask others to understand and be patient.
• Do things that make you feel good.
• Get a good night’s sleep.

Getting good or bad news

You may be used to reaching for a cigarette when you get good news or bad news. Smoking will not change the good or bad news or help the situation. It will only reduce your chance of quitting for good. Have a good cry, tell someone how you are feeling. Take 20 slow deep breaths over a period of a few minutes to help relax.