Day 8....Challenging

[elizabethrocks]

So I woke up to an emergency call, I had to go to my moms and call 911 to take her to the hospital. She already has medical issues so it wasn’t a huge surprise however I really wanted a cigarette to help with the stress. As I sit in the er I can’t stop clinching my teeth which is giving me a headache.... any advise that can get me over this hurdle? Please keep in mind my resources are very limited. Thanks

[Mandolinrain]

Deep breathing. Inhale slow through the nose and exhale out the mouth. Another thing that helped me was picturing member of EX in my head and holding their hands. I let that picture re-direct my mind and purpose of my quit. 

Im sorry about your Mother and I will be praying she is okay. 

Heres my hand...please take it and know others will be latching on soon......

[Barbscloud]

Can you get some straws/coffee stirrers.  Should be something you get your hands on at the hospital.  I can chew the heck out of them.  Hope everything goes well.

[elvan]

I agree with Mandolinrain‌, you can deep breathe any time, anywhere...please keep in mind that smoking INCREASES stress, it is only your addiction telling you differently and you do NOT have to listen. Take a deep breath in, hold it and exhale very slowly.  I hope your mother is going to be alright...in the meantime, you need to be right where you are and not outside searching for a place to smoke.  This will pass...smoking would not change anything except your health.  Please take care of you and please keep us in the loop.  Saying prayers for you and your mother.

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Are you using an NRT?

[elizabethrocks]

No I’m not using any NRT

[YoungAtHeart]

Slow, deep breaths are always available and work WELL.  You should also always have a cold bottle of water to sip from.    Keep some sugar-free mints or fireballs or sour candies at the ready, too.

I hope your Mom is better this morning!

Nancy

[JonesCarpeDiem]

If not using an aid, 2-3 weeks is common but unlearning your routine by varying it is key. makiong new memories without smoking is key. facing problems without smoking is key.

Time is the healer

[desiree465]

Dum Dum's and wintergreen mints were my best friends the first few months. 

[JonesCarpeDiem]

I cut straws in thirds and chewed them to the crinkled crap stage also.

[maryfreecig]

Try repeating to yourself something along these lines, "I can't wait for the perfect time to stay quit, now I keep staying quit no matter what--it's going to be ok."

[Strudel]

Deep breaths and ice cold water helped me....plus continually working on changing your thinking about smoking. It gave you NOTHING! The cycle of addiction only creates stress. Trust me - it's true! After 40 years of smoking, it was the most amazing discovery for me - smoking never helped me with stress relief. It just takes time - but, you will get there! Congrats on your quit! You did exactly the right thing by coming here to write a blog - way to go!