Nicotine is a drug, and alongside some of the over 100 chemicals in a cigarette, it acts as a sedative. Smoking suppresses emotions, numbing out stress, anxiety, and even anger. So, when I quit, those emotions come back stronger, like a backlog of feelings waiting for their moment to shine—or, in my case, explode.
For some, quitting smoking brings out depression and tears. For me, it’s mostly anger. I get irritable, short-tempered, and downright mad at the world. This is hard on me, but it’s even harder on the people around me. No one wants to be collateral damage in the war against nicotine withdrawal. So, what can be done?
Managing Anger While Quitting Smoking
I’ve learned some important tools over the years, especially from anger management courses. The best advice? Step back. Count to three. Walk away. Sounds simple, but in the heat of the moment, it’s not always easy.
Another big help? Exercise. The gym is a great place to channel anger into something productive. Lifting weights, running, even just getting the heart rate up can help burn off the frustration.
One therapist suggested yoga, and surprisingly, it worked. Yoga helps relax both the mind and body while focusing on breathing. Deep breathing, in through the nose and out through the mouth, increases oxygen flow to the brain, replacing that “calm high” feeling that smoking gives. And, let’s be real, yoga classes also happen to be filled with pretty women, which doesn’t hurt my motivation—but that’s a whole other story.
Today’s Progress
My goal today is to maintain spacing between cigarettes back to one hour while practicing anger management tools. The more I manage my irritability, the more I turn quitting into a positive experience instead of a negative one.
Each day is a step closer to being smoke-free. Each challenge is an opportunity to grow. And if all else fails—deep breaths, count to three, and maybe a little more yoga.
by Dan and Bonkers
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