4 days left!!!-1

[beachlover1029]

One other HUGE concern I have is that I love to drive, listen to music and smoke in my car. My job also is caring for 2 elderly individuals Mon-Fri 8-4 and I just cook and clean so I am bored a lot of the time. I do like to read-but I've always smoked doing it. I also can knit, but I get bored...semi ADHD. Not tremendously bad (need for meds) but bad enough. I need some ideas on how to get over that trigger. I get upset (they both have Alzheimer's) so I go out to my car, crank tunes, smoke and take a break.  I have way too  much time on my hands. I am looking for a different job but until then....help 🙂

[Thomas3.20.2010]

Switch things up in the car. Still listen to our music but focus on remembering the licence plate of the car in front of you or the car make and model. Really pay attention to your surroundingd and when your mind wanders on ...other things...come back to the car in front and noice one thing you didn't notice before. 

I work in Assisted Living. I often work Memory Care Units with 10 dementia residents at a time! I can promise you that I have more patience and understanding since I quit smoking almost 6 Years ago! If you need a time filler, try adult coloring books, crossword puzzles, do crochet instead of knitting - or needlepoint. I'm sure others will give you more "busy" ideas. The main thing is to associate this new activity with not smoking. "When I do such and such I don't smoke!"

I was an avid reader when I quit smoking and thought that I had to give up reading forever! Not True! I did have to relearn reading without an ashtray and lit Sickerette next to me but it only took a few weeks!

You CAN do this! It can ALL be relearned and Life Smoke FREE is soooooo worth it!

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

For your workday, perhaps park your car in a different location, and take a cold bottle of water to sip from. Detail your car so it doesn't stink before youq quit - Fabrze for the seats and apple slices under the seats to absorb the odor, too.   Or - take a brisk, short walk up and down the street in front of the house.  Slow, deep breathing works to surf a crave, too.  The idea of an adult coloring book or crossword is also a good idea.  Walking 'round and 'round the dining table is another idea, or going up and down steps a  few times. 

The most important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This is an easy and entertaining read. Here is a link to a free PDF version of it:

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf

As well, read the sections on this site, and read the blogs, responses and pages of folks you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com and quitsmokingonline.com for the good information contained there. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises suggested on this site

After you have completed the recommended reading, it will be time to make an informed choice of the quit aid, if any, you will use. If you go that route, I personally recommend the aids that don't let the addict control the dose such as the available prescription drugs or the patch. But – any method that you think will work well for you will be best for you.

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand. If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different.

You need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time.  You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around your head alone.  Get busy!  Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

Nancy

[JACKIE1-25-15]

If you can come on line and read blogs that may be helpful. 

[Alyssadone]

I bought adult coloring books and colored instead of read, my hands were busy and it's something that did not irritate me or piss me off.  It's actually very relaxing! 

[joedice711]

i thought i would never be able to drive and not smoke.it was so much part of my life for 51 years.everything i did from the time i got up  in the early morning to i went to  bed revolved around smoking. i had so much fear thinking of that.i,m still early in my quit 135 feeling much better days. i walk every day for 90 minutes.before i quit i could not walk 1/2 mile.you can do it tooo..this community is your best start. never would have made it without ex...keep coming back..

[Strudel]

Please do the reading that Nancy (Youngatheart) gave you! That plus getting the support here can make such a difference! I smoked for 40 years and I really no I could do this. But, I found out that I could! So can you! Read - and stick around! 

[TerrieQuit]

Hello and Welcome to EX! I am glad you are here! Please do the suggested reading and come to EX as often as you can! We are very supportive!

I Won't Quit on my Quit!