Nicotine withdrawal varies by symptom and severity from person to person. The length of time and amount of cigarettes per day have something to do with it, but usually it depends on the person. No matter what the symptoms, remember, they will only be severe for a few days and will fade over the course of 3 to 4 weeks. Here is a rundown of most of the symptoms and some suggestions about how to deal with each.

Anxiety is one of the most common nicotine withdrawal symptoms. It is physical but also mental due to the changing the automatic response to stress from smoking to now something else. To deal with the anxiety, find something relaxing: Breathing exercises, walking, running, making a cup of herbal tea, or listening to music.

Irritability is also common, and partially depends on your personality. It is true nicotine withdrawal can make someone anger quicker. It is like being hungry or tired, and also similarly the irritability will go away as well. To deal with it for a few weeks try writing down what you are angry about and then doing something you enjoy. Play a video game or sudoku puzzle, or watch a funny movie or t.v. show.

Depression is one of the more difficult nicotine withdrawal symptoms to deal with, although less common, and the symptoms should dealt with. There is a difference between feeling a little down and clinical depression though. The herb St. Johns Wort will help with the depression or just a down mood. Exercise will also help by by increasing endorphins. Also, get more sun. If the depression persists longer than 4 to 6 weeks consider talking to a doctor.

Insomnia can be a problem, although most people report feeling more tired and sleeping more after quitting. Either way, after stopping smoking it is important to get regular sleep. If this is a problem, definitely exercise more, get into bed at a regular time with the t.v. and lights off, and try the herb Valerian root or melatonin.

Difficulty concentrating is pretty common after people quit. The nicotine is a stimulant and the body has to, can and will, learn to function at peak performance, physically and mentally, without nicotine again. This can take a few weeks so in the mean time make sure to lessen the commitments and work load. Quitting smoking is worth a week of taking it easy on yourself and work.

Increased appetite goes along with quitting smoking for 2 reasons, nicotine is a stimulant that suppresses appetite, and people typically refocus they thoughts of smoking on food. Some people have been known to gain 20 pounds or more, but there is really no reason anyone has to gain any weight. Increase exercise and try sipping something low in calories like an herbal tea.

Coughing is a strange symptom but in some people coughing increases after quitting. It is a good thing though because tar from the cigarette smoke that has coated the lungs is now being slowly flushed out. This the lung recovering and healing. To speed it up drink tea with honey or taking a cough syrup with an expectorant to loosen up the mucus.

Headaches are sometimes inevitable, especially right in the beginning of the nicotine withdrawal. It is being a regular coffee drinker and not getting caffeine in the morning, by the afternoon your head aches. Make sure to drink plenty of water, take pain killers if necessary, stretch, and take hot baths to stay loose.

No matter what your symptoms and severity, make sure to take it easy on yourself while quitting. Treat your time almost like a vacation because quitting is difficult and so very worth it.