So I found a car – a Honda CR-V gently used as they say!
That’s when I began looking at the car insurance I have been carrying for Years and discovered that I’d been paying way too much! So I went Insurance shopping! One thing led to another and I also changed Credit Cards for a lower interest rate and other financial reorganization.
But that’s not all! I have reworked my job schedule! That’s why I haven’t been here much! I’ve been working 80 hours a week while in transition! As of today though things are more settled and back down to a reasonable 50 hours/week. So I’m back here more often.
Transitions can be tough. We abruptly find ourselves out of our comfort zone. It takes time for this new pattern of lifestyle to become more natural. In my instance I have to even adjust my sleep/wake patterns to accommodate my new work schedule. But I know that in the long run it will be more rewarding and better for me and for my Family. I will be more equipped to handle my other goals – like spending more time with my Granddaughter!
When I was a smoker I leaned on my Addiction to Nicotine to get me through tough times like these. I would find myself increasing tobacco use while I familiarized myself with the changes going on. That’s because challenges go smoother if you have dopamine – the feel good hormone - going on and Nicotine artificially produces dopamine in our Brains!
But when you quit smoking that crutch is gone and yes, quitting is a drastic lifestyle change. It messes with your concentration, sleep patterns, even depression and anxiety temporarily. Dopamine boosts our drive, focus, and concentration so it’s no wonder that when we stop producing it through Addiction we don’t feel so great – at first!
Dopamine enables us to plan ahead and resist impulses so we can achieve our goals which is EXactly what we need when we launch a Quit Journey! It gives us that “I did it!” lift when we accomplish what we set out to do. In other words, Dopamine is in charge of our pleasure-reward system. It allows us to have feelings of enjoyment, bliss, and even euphoria.
But too little dopamine can leave you unfocused, unmotivated, lethargic, and even depressed. We run the risk of low dopamine levels when we Quit Smoking which makes it tough to succeed! That’s where Knowledge is Power!
So what can you do? While searching for your New Normal there are many ways to get that dopamine that have nothing to do with Nicotine. Use as many as you can and you’ll find the transition into EXer much less difficult!
Here’s a list of foods, drinks, and spices known to increase dopamine:
· all animal products
· almonds
· apples
· avocado
· bananas
· beets
· chocolate
· coffee
· fava beans
· green leafy vegetables
· green tea
· lima beans
· oatmeal
· sea vegetables
· sesame and pumpkin seeds
· turmeric
· watermelon
· wheat germ
Foods high in natural probiotics such as yogurt, kefir, and raw sauerkraut can also increase natural dopamine production.
Exercise also raises baseline levels of dopamine by promoting the growth of new brain cell receptors. Along with natural pain-killing endorphins, dopamine is responsible in part for “runner’s high.” But you don’t need to exercise strenuously to enhance your brain.
Taking walks, or doing gentle, no-impact exercises like yoga, tai chi, or qi gong all provide powerful mind-body benefits.
Meditation increases dopamine, improving focus and concentration.
Creative hobbies of all kinds — knitting, quilting, sewing, drawing, photography, woodworking, and home repair — bring the brain into a meditative state.
These activities increase dopamine, ward off depression, and protect against brain aging.
Listening to music can cause release of dopamine.
Oddly, you don’t even have to hear music to get this neurotransmitter flowing. Just the anticipation of listening can do that.
Dopamine is released when we achieve our goals. But having only long-term goals gets frustrating, so set both short-term and long-term goals. Celebrate your Days of Freedom. Set aside the cash you would have spent on Sickerettes and treat yourself. Break up your long-term goal of Living Smoke FREE into small short-term goals to give yourself dopamine boosts along the way.
Take small steps toward Recovery every day. Working on your goal without fail for 45 days will train your brain to stimulate dopamine production in a new way.
No nicotine required!
Healthy ways to produce dopamine include eating the right foods, taking dopamine boosting supplements, physical exercise, and meditation.
Learn how to harness your reward system for a healthy stream of dopamine.
Enjoy the quest, set both long-term and short-term goals, and take on new challenges.
You’ll feel more alive, focused, productive, and motivated.
I have lots of dopamine flowing naturally these days! I walk an average of 10 miles a day at work. I practice cardio, strength training, yoga and pilates. I have new hobbies. I eat more healthy than ever. And I meditate.
All these goals I’ve set for myself don’t feel overwhelming – they’re delightful! I get a natural “high” from working hard, earning, paying and saving money.
This is one Spring Cleaning I’m enjoying!
