English Español
Help
cancel
Turn on suggestions
Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type.
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Give and get support around quitting

mmoores
Member
‎01-13-2018 08:07 AM

How to stay motivated when stress hits

Hi all, this is my first day of so many trying to quit. The best i have ever done is 8 months without a cigarette, but I always allow stress to make me go back to the bad habbit, any pointers on what to tell myself or to do to avoid this from happening again.

11 Replies
elvan
Member
‎01-14-2018 01:42 PM

Welcome to EX, I worked yesterday and am just reading this post today.  First of all...PLEASE change your thinking...smoking is NOT a habit, it is an addiction and must be treated as such, it is a one day at a time journey.  Secondly, PLEASE understand that smoking does not relieve stress, no matter what your addiction is telling you, smoking CAUSES stress.  The fact that you quit for eight months shows that you certainly can do this.  I had so many failed quits that I lost track, I did manage to quit for pregnancies but it was because I could not stand the smell...it made me vomit to be around smoke.  This time, I did all of the recommended reading, I came to this site twice a day, every day.  I read blogs, I commented, I asked for help, I paid attention to what was working for others...I LISTENED to the advice I was given.  Soon, I will celebrate four years smoke free after 47 years of feeding my addiction and doing more damage to my body than I could have imagined.  Along with the blog that YoungAtHeart‌ has recommended, I suggest reading one written by JonesCarpeDiem‌ /blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-in-the-first-four-months and looking at roller831‌'s conversation for new quitters https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/thread/17127-new-quitters-check-in   I came to this site every morning and every evening when I first quit and, most days, I still do.  I suggest starting each day taking the Daily Pledge...taking the hand of another member and offering your hand to the next one and committing not to smoke TODAY...I also suggest riding the Freedom Train every day and celebrating the milestones of your fellow travelers.  Links to both can be found at the top of the page under "Celebrations and Events".  I find that the daily commitment and the recognition of others is seriously helpful to MY quit.  Education, commitment, and support are vital to a successful quit.  The only one you have to bring to the site is commitment.  All of the others are offered in abundance.

Again, welcome to EX and congratulations on beginning your journey.

Ellen

shashort
Member
‎01-14-2018 03:44 PM

Find things that take your mind off the stress you are experiencing.  Here is some ideas that came to mind.   Practice deep breathing techniques.  Take a deep breath through your nose slowly and then slowly exhale all of the air and repeats until you become calm. With this I also practice relaxing each muscle group with each deep breath.  If time allows take a long bath with soft music and candles as you are relaxing in the tub. Exercise is also a big stress buster.  Also, come here and blog it helps clear your mind.  These were my big 4 go too's when I felt stressed. Always carry a listen of your reason to quit smoking and the benefits yours reaping as a ex smoker.  Oh yeah by the way welcome to EX and congratulations on making the choice not to smoke.