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Share your quitting journey

Reframe the Question!

Thomas3.20.2010
0 1 1

When you have an overwhelming desire to go back to your sickerettes, think for just a second! The question in your mind shouldn't be to smoke or not to smoke! The relavant question is:

"What do I do instead?

Here's some suggestions:

 

1. Read a book.

2. Wash the car.

3. Wash the dog.

4. Go for a walk.

5. Knit a scarf.

6. Do a crossword puzzle.

7. Take a nap.

8. Call a friend.

9. Post a comment on my page

10. Play with the cat.

11. Turn the bathroom into a spa and do all those beauty treatments.

12. Listen to a relaxation tape or some favorite music.

13. Go to a store and get a free make-up session.

14.Give yourself a manicure and pedicure.

15. Try out a new hair-do

16. CHEW SOME CLOVES!

17. Go to the movies.

18. Hang out at a mall.

19. Do a jigsaw puzzle online at Jigzone.com

20. Breathe deeply!

21. Swig down some ice water.

22. Jump on a treadmill or go to a gym.

23. Give someone you love a huge hug.

24. Plant some flowers.

25. Do some exercise - swimming, aerobics, yoga, etc. Great for releasing endorphins (feel good factor) and relieving stress (physical and mental).

26. Work out how to post a picture in the forum!

27. Take up a new hobby/interest - channel your thoughts into something constructive and interesting.

28. Work in the garden.

29. Retail therapy with the cash you saved from not smoking.

30. Suck on a piece of TART candy (Jolly Rancher is my personal favorite).

31. Slather on a rich, creamy hand lotion and rub, rub, rub! It keeps fingers busy, and reminds you how nice it is not to have tobacco stink on them.

32. Eat a popscicle.

33. Floss and brush your teeth.

34. Make-out with your special someone! Hubby hated kissing me when I smoked, but now he LOVES it. Soooo, when the urge strikes and he's within kissing distance, I plant a big one on him!

35. Chew gum.

36. Chew a toothpick (shiny teeth).

37. Spend time with a kid.

38. Give yourself a treat every day of your quit - not matter how small.

39. Spend an hour filling the paddling pool in the garden on a gorgeous sunny day, only to find that the kids would rather play on the computer.

40. Play several games of Internet Scrabble, and hopefully win one!

41. Walk in an old graveyard with the man you love.

42. Get your jammies on early, and park yourself in front of your computer for the night.

43. Build a REAL closet

44. Hang the sheetrock on said closet.

45. Do the mudding, taping and sanding on that closet.

46. Paint the closet.

47. Add the doors to the closet.

48. And last...when the real closet is finished, create THE CHOCOLATE CLOSET on this site.

49. Hang on dearly to a caramel apple sucker.

50. Sing loudly.

51. Practice smiling in the mirror (releases endorphins)!

52. Make lists of pros and cons of smoking.

53. Find gross smoking disease pictures.

54. Play with Silly Putty.

55. Whistle "Don't Worry - Be Happy."

56. Get a camera, and take some pictures.

57. Write a letter (you know...on paper).

58. Clean OUT the closets.

59. Crank up the radio and sing at the top of your lungs (works great for driving craves).

60. Crank up the radio and dance like no one is watching.

61. Make a puzzle.

62. Organize your boxes of pictures.

63. Alphabetize your CD rack.

64. Come here and read and post.

65. Go to miniclip.com and PLAY GAMES.

66. Do your nails. Hard to smoke with wet nails. I've tried.

67. Take a shower.

68. Take a candle-lit bath.

69. Clean out a messy drawer.

70. Take a day trip.

71. Try making home-made candles or soap.

72. Run in place.

73. Do some jumping jacks.

74. Start a reward fund - put away the amount you spend on smokes every day and use it to treat yourself once in awhile.

75. Write a poem.

76. Go antique shopping.

77. Go plant a flower for every negative thought.

78. Go to church/talk to God.

79. Let your husband cook supper for you.80. Call your Grandmother!

1 Comment
About the Author
63 years old. 20 year smoker. 11 Years FREE! Diagnosed with COPD. Choosing a Quality LIFE! It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. -Galatians 5:1