Recovering after you quit smoking and helping your body repair from the damage caused by cigarettes can be a challenging task. You're dealing with nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms and you might find it difficult just to get through another day smoke-free. However, by taking care of your body and making sure you get the right nutrients, you actually increase your chances of successfully quitting because you'll start to feel better and experience benefits to your overall well-being.
Step 1
Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet that contains plenty of vitamin C, E and B complex. These vitamins help your cells repair from the damage your body incurred from smoking. Free radicals are damaging particles that occur in your body for many reasons, including cigarette smoking, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Anti-oxidants such as vitamin C and E can help your body heal and repair from free radical damage. Vitamin B complex promotes healthy cell growth and development. Eat foods rich in these nutrients such as green leafy vegetables, liver, nuts, whole grains and citrus fruits.
Step 2
Drink plenty of water. You should try to drink at least two liters of pure water every day. Avoid beverages such as soft drinks or caffeinated drinks if possible, as these act as diuretics which force water from your body and leave you dehydrated. Water helps to flush toxins from your system and is an important component of every vital metabolic process.
Step 3
Exercise at least three times per week. Physical activity can act as a distraction from nicotine cravings and can help you to combat feelings of anxiety and depression that you may experience as a result of giving up cigarettes. Exercise promotes endorphin production, which helps you to feel happier and less stressed, according to MayoClinic.com.
Step 4
Drink green tea, as it contains a very high amount of antioxidants that can fight free radical damage caused by smoking. In traditional and herbal medicines, green tea is used to improve heart health. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that green tea may help to prevent atherosclerosis, a disease of the arteries that is caused partially by tobacco smoke. Drinking green tea may also lower your risk of developing certain types of cancer.
Step 5
Use steam inhalation to help speed the recovery of your lungs and respiratory system. According to BBC Health, steam inhalation can help ease coughs and loosen mucous in the lungs. You can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil, an expectorant that soothes irritation and hacking coughs, to a pot of boiling water. Remove the pot from heat. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the aroma for a few minutes.
Things You'll Need
- Eucalyptus oil
- Towel
