Help Dealing With That "Reward" Cigarette Thought

[YoungAtHeart]

I have read, over time and again today, about folks having difficulty with replacing that "reward" cigarette, that "job well done" break one.  I know I STILL, after seven years, have a passing thought, especially with things I don't do as often.  Lately, I have been having those thoughts when taking a break from Fall housecleaning. 

So, community - I am asking for your input.  Have you found something that works for YOU? 

Please let us hear how you are handling it!

Nancy

[Bree19]

My turn to wash dishes every day was after supper.  I HATED it.  So it used to be my biggest and best reward cigarette of the day - after dishes, just before shower/bed.  And the hardest one to let go.   (I had many other reward moments during the day, but after accomplishing a clean kitchen every night, THAT was the one that counted).   

I changed it up.  I started clean-up right after supper, not just before bed time and always with favourite music on loud - mostly blues, rock, jazz.  By the time I sat down for a bit of TV, that craving was a distant memory, my kitchen was clean and I envied everyone who has a dishwasher.  

My reward, reruns of either Grey's or House while keeping the hands busy - colouring, crochet, Sudoku etc.

Thinking back on the early days of my quit, it really needed conscious thought, hard work and commitment from me and support from all of you.  That's how my quit is still succeeding 2.5 years later.

Blessings

Bree 970+ DOF

[Mward90]

As silly as it may sound I have replaced my reward or job well done cigarette with a literal pat on the back.  Now when I do something deserving of a reward I literally reach around and pat myself on the back several times.  It seems to always make me smile because I have done something good, I have done it without nicotine, and I have acknowledged it to myself in a small gesture.  Now I can't say that people don't look at me funny when I do this, but honestly that kind of makes me smile too.

[JACKIE1-25-15]

I remember being concerned about the first things I had to do without the reward smoke.  Fishing, gardening, yardwork.

I was doubtful about tackling the yard work because I was thinking about my reward cigarette. I just counted to 10 took deep breathes and charged forward and began.  I was so EXcited that I made it through without smoking or wanting a cigarette. It was EXhilarating to get more work done without the reward breaks.  If we just "do it" with a NOPE mentality we can make it and if we don't do it we never know what we can do.  Part of it is mental. When we realize that we don't have to smoke it is an ah-ha moment. So it's just DO IT and get through it.NOPE

 

[sweetplt]

Funny Nancy this was one of my hardest triggers beside the cocktail....now I found a few things help...I watch something on tv as a reward and make a cup of tea...more and more I can just be in the moment and that is enough reward....great post....~ Colleen 330 DOF 

~ Happy Tuesday ~

[Barbscloud]

This has probably been my hardest also.   I come to the Ex when taking a break or completing a task.  That's worked for me so far.  Thanks for sharing.

Barb

[JonesCarpeDiem]

4 white paws

[elvan]

I usually come to EX or if the task has been particularly difficult, I take a short nap.  

[AnnetteMM]

I eat something sweet. Sometimes fruit or fruity yogurt, sometimes a cookie or something. Nothing major, but it helps.

[Giulia]

The reward cigarette is still an occasional trigger for me.  Yup, even after 13 years.  I simply say to myself "Gee I'd like a cigarette right now," and within a couple of minutes the thought and feeling are totally gone.  I guess I'd say I acknowledge it and just move past it by doing something, some task that takes my mind away from it.  What I don't do is sit and dwell on it.  Dwelling in the well of smoking thoughts will drown you every time.

This is a really great blog, Nancy - a treasure trove of answers on how to get past the reward trigger.

[indingrl]

Thanks for asking NANCY I run to God and HIS Holy Word - I ask MY Holy Comfortor to hold ME and counsel and comfort ME through this pain of MY REALITY and wanting to escape MY feeling and thoughts - that is when - MY OLD MINDSET comed to taunt ME - reward YOUR self - stinking thinking - to suck on death to cope with a thought or cope with a feeling - cope with death of 3 family members or to cope with feelings of reward for 8 YEARS non smoker living - MY OLD ADDICT MIND trying to take over MY NEW MINDSET - I tell MYSELF - NEVER reward MYSELF -  with lung cancer or mouth cancer or lip cancer or nose cancer or NICOTINE massive heart attack - DEATH in a puff - I PRAY and say out loud - it is written - I have the mind of Christ - MY NEW MINDSET is to-  reward MYSELF -  by coming here try to HELP - the next -  SUFFERING NICOTINE ADDICT to HOPE - I pray to reward MYSELF-  to be of service to other SUFFERING NICOTINE ADDICTS - who are losing HOPE when life HITS hard and breaks MY nose or HITS ME hard in the stomach with a mom who is mean as a snack piting sisters against each other so she can laugh - she is 86 and vile an wicked yet I love her by doing for her what she will not do for herself - FORGIVE HER - I respect her with the title MOM and I do not have to like her or accept her unacceptable behavior - I continued to pray in MY Lord Jesus name for her - amen NOT ONE PUFF OVER HER or ME  - I reward MYSELF by praying for YOU - when asked and all others who ask for prayers to cope with non smoker living -  ACCEPTING life on lifes terms - asking MYSELF - am I living in to do Gods will and in HIS love and service or am I living in MY OLD MINDSET - MY PAST -- MY Lord Jesus doesn't escape life to COPE with life REAL - pain REAL - TODAY by God's grace - I try to be real -  love REAL and HOPE -  that is MY rewards  - the fruits of MY Holy Spirit in ME -  who teaches ME - go give HOPE to others -  just like it was given to YOU- freely teach like I was taught  - NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF EVER -  for a reward - I try to encourage MYSELF - ain't NO one gonna do it for ME - I pray and ask to get out of MYSELF and GO serve others as a reward- please take what HELPS and let GO of the rest - to be helpful is MY only aim - thank you  - so thank YOU Nancy !!!!  for being MY teacher and a shinning example - to reward MYSELF - by helping others - just like YOU do Nancy - WAY TO GO AND GOOD JOB - gentle hug