Clarification: this is my second day of no smoking instead 2nd day to quit. My mind is already trying to tell me to buy cigarettes and I am fighting it right now in my mind to not listen to my mind talking.
The 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.” You can search for it online or at your local library. Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be
From my own experience and that of others here, if you decide to use a quit aid, I recommend those that don't let the addict control the dose such as Rx drugs and the patch.
The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced. Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit. 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! . Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.
You need to distract yourself through any craves. You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game. Keep a cold bottle of water with you. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. You might visit “Games”: The active ones are at the top of the list going down the left side of the page.
Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:
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!
Welcome to the community @vicky_k please read the links suggested above and keep reading everything you can because there's a wealth of information right here on this site to strengthen your resolve to kick the nicotine poison to the curb permanently it's not easy by any stretch of the imagination BUT with commitment and perseverance you will perservere through whatever comes your way, stay close and reach out whenever you need to or just want to vent we're all here to help you in any way we can and we are rooting you on You've got this.....
@vicky_k I kept very busy, went for walks, chewed gum,. And told myself continuously that "I don't smoke anymore." And "Yippee, I'm a nonsmoker!" Everytime I had a crave. I stayed on this ex site and read the materials suggested by the elders @YoungAtHeart @. All that helped me make it to day 20 and counting! You can do it , too. One day or hour at a time!😁🐕💘
@Denise_60 congratulations on your quit day being tomorrow. I will be quit 3 weeks ago tomorrow. Glad I choose a Monday to quit as it helps me to get through the weekend looking forward to my "milestone Monday" I wish you the best. You can do it! Just think today will be your last smoke and you will be free!🐕😁
@vicky_k Just wanted to pop in here and say I am glad you are here and that you posted. I remember those first couple of days on my quit - and how much of a fog I was in. It is good to focus on the positive and do what you are doing, which is taking it one day at a time.
I hope you will write a blog to introduce yourself to the wider community (Home-top left; "Post to My Journal/Blog"-center blue box). You might include your smoking history, why you want to quit, re-introduce your quit date, and anything you care to share. It will be seen by a larger part of the community.
I’m so proud of all you quitters!!! I am so excited I will have 365 Days of Freedom from cigarettes/nicotine tomorrow!! Great choice on coming here for support!!
Be sure to figure out many of your major triggers and what you will do in place of smoking ( I did walks with the dog, drank lots of water, set up a jigsaw puzzle, knitted a sweater, came to Ex’s, etc.,)
Also, when you feel a bit stressed…see below a good breathing exercise.
You can do this…we are here to help. Keep close to the support site…~ Colleen 1154 DOF
Thanks everyone for your support, so far day 2 is almost over. I am glad that I went visit my younger sister and I was able to decline smoking. I told her it is day 2 of no smoking. She went outside and smoke by herself. I know that I have to quit one day at a time and don’t worry so much. Even though I have to look for a permanent job and that is making me very anxious. I had to do guided meditation and prayer to get through each day, and now I have to continue to work on not smoking which causes additional stress for me. I know deep down this is the best for my health, and I could even save money. Thank you once again for all your support and encouragement. I am very hopeful that this website will help to accomplish my desire to kick the smoking habits.
@Brandishae a big Congratulations on reaching your 1 year milestone. A lot of hard work and effort on your quit journey that has paid off! Way to go!😁🐕💘🌋
@Brandishae Congrats on your 1st year smoke free. That was a special milestone for me. I hope you planned something wonderful to celebrate. You deserve it!
Not having to focus on smoking will relieve some of the stress. Think of quitting as getting rid of some of the stress.
Education is the key to successful quit.
Furthermore, when smokers manage to quit smoking, they gradually become less stressed over time. Why do smokers believe that cigarettes help relieve stress, when the empirical evidence shows that tobacco dependency is associated with heightened stress? The aim of this article is to review the empirical evidence on the smoking stress relationship, first in adult smokers, then in novice
Furthermore, when smokers manage to quit smoking, they gradually become less stressed over time. Why do smokers believe that cigarettes help relieve stress, when the empirical evidence shows that tobacco dependency is associated with heightened stress? The aim of this article is to review the empirical evidence on the smokingstress relationship, first in adult smokers, then in novice
Thank you Jackie for the above comments, I've noticed that my anxieties is better today. I definitely feel that stop smoking is making my anxieties more tolerable. In addition, my headache is getting better.
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I have been smoking since I was in my twenties, and I have been sobered for 23 years. I quitted smoking for over a year until last October 2021, due to my boss has pile on a lot of work my way, I have developed major anxiety and panic attack. Ultimately, I had to quit my job to save my own life. I went to my primary care physician, and my blood pressure was very high. I had to make a choice to quit my job to save my own life. One of my colleagues told me that I was the backbone of the department, and he really appreciated my hard work. I was working as a Commercial Loan Administrator, and I have to extract certain information from the legal agreements and input in the Loan IQ system. The management does not care about the people working in the Operation Department. Majority of my colleagues told me that I am the most responsive and knowledgeable person in the department. I felt very angry that they put so much work on my plate and forced me to quit my job. I was no longer happy working in my job.
That caused me to pick up smoking again, and I know it is not good for my health. Smoking only exacerbate my anxiety. I am praying and hoping that this website will help me quit smoking for good. I should not use smoking as a coping mechanism.
I believe this is not a coincidence, and it happened for a reason which I do not have a clue right now, but I believe that God has a better plan for me going forward, and this is the time for me to do some soul searching and taking care of my body. I believe as time goes by; I will find a more suitable job that is not that stressful, and I do not have to work crazy hours. I will keep my fingers crossed.
