You’ve probably heard the term, ‘going cold turkey.’ But, do you know what it means? It’s quite normal to think that it means to drop something completely and suddenly. In a way, it does mean that, but it’s generally more specific. Going cold turkey is both a physical and mental adjustment to your behavior. This takes courage, commitment, and knowledge on how to do it properly. Some people think it doesn’t work that you have to slowly get off something. You can’t just suddenly stop smoking 40 cigarettes a day, you have to go to 30, then 20, and so on. Whereas others say, if done correctly, anyone can go cold turkey successfully. Let’s explore the various methods.
It Can Be Harmful
For various conditions, you can’t just suddenly go cold turkey. For example, if you are addicted to alcohol, going cold turkey can be extremely painful and dangerous. It can be harmful to your body because your body has gotten so used to using alcohol as its main source of energy. Your body has had to shift its entire system to do this and if you suddenly stop, it can put you into shock. So, instead, you should use an alcohol detox service that slowly but surely rids your body of its dependency on alcohol. It will be done safely and with professional help. Not to mention, you will also have access to mental health support. There is a timeline of withdrawal that you should learn more about to help you identify the symptoms you may be experiencing.
Is It Mental?
Sometimes, you have to go cold turkey to realize that some of the issues are actually related to your mentality or mental health. If you’re a stress eater, you’ll notice that if you find some other way to cope with the stress, that food isn’t the problem itself. It’s your brain’s view of food that causes food addiction and possibly eating disorders. You may think that food is comforting because it makes you feel good. Harmful fatty, sugary and salty foods are the main types which we turn to. These may be things like french fries, burgers, pizza, and candy (the yummy foods, am I right?).
However, if you were to replace this food with healthy foods that you can eat readily, you may find that you turn a corner. You could try avocado dip, and replace the bread or chips you eat with some kind of bread replacement, like a carb-free cracker.
Why Does It Work?
Sometimes, going cold turkey works because your body might just be ready for a change. If you drink a lot of soda, your body is constantly trying to balance the sugar levels. Going cold turkey by not drinking any soda at all will allow your body to balance itself again. This is something that also makes you feel good. If it makes you feel good then you know that the change you have made is the right one. You won’t have headaches, you won’t be fidgeting, and you can feel like you don’t need to rely on it.
Going cold turkey can sometimes work, but it might be dangerous for the wrong kind of issue. If you feel like you want to make a change, this is just one technique you can try.
Thank you for reading!
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