Community
I am in California and our Governor just put us back into a very restrictive COVID lock down. As soon as I read the news online I wanted a chew. Badly. And I can't seem to shake the desire. Any recommendations on how to deal with stress triggered cravings would be appreciated!
And thank you in advance.
Adam
Thank you!
Here are a few things that were listed in a blog. They seem to be great tools to use during the lockdown
Thank you!
Thank you!
After almost 3 years quit, I still think about how "comforting" it would be to have my nicotine during this stressful time.
But it's a LIE! It wouldn't really be comforting at all! It just creates more problems.
Thank you!
You've gotten great advice already. For me ,staying busy and going for walks helped to refocus my thoughts. We're all experiencing the stress of this virus. Stay positive-we'll get through this. To be honest with you, everything, was shut down here in the beginning and now that's it's worst than ever, they're not shutting anything down (yet). I wish they would.
Get outside and enjoy some nature.
Keep moving forward one day at a time.
Barb
Thank you!
One step at a time is a great way to deal with life/quitting. Slow down your response to your stress by taking the kinds of actions (one at a time) that will keep you on track for your quit. None of us want to be restricted. It is a time of strain, but learning to deal with life as it is--is a large part of smobering up. Be kind to yourself, one step at a time.
Thank you!
We are also under super strict lockdown. I am still looking for ways of handling my stress. Something I find very helpful is keeping a journal.
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing and IL on lockdown AGAIN too - YOU are NOT alone MY n.o.p.e. family member - Bite into a lemon peel and all - it works for ME - just sharing 
I'll have to try that! Sugar free gum has been working well. ;-)
Think about it, would a chew really help? Drink cold water, eat Sour Patch Kids, take deep breaths. It WILL pass, you have to LET it.
Ellen
Our body and brain have been trained by addiction to associate relieving stress with getting nicotine.
We stressed out until we got nicotine.
Not getting the nicotine BECOMES THE BRUNT OF THE STRESS.
Might the addiction to nicotine be causing the stress in the first place simply because we were used to getting it?