day 2 no nicotine

[mcmandaa]

yesterday wasn’t so bad but today i’m really starting to feel it. a bit curmudgeonly and like an erratic adolescent at the same time. not feeling bad about it, just acknowledging the struggle. overall i’m feeling optimistic and trying to give myself a little credit for what i’ve accomplished so far.

[Barbscloud]

@mcmandaa The first few days can be rough.  You're body just lost nicotine and 1,000's of toxic chemicals so it's going to react.  Your body is healing!   It is normal, but I'm happy to see you're coping with.  It will pass and you'll be on your way to next step on your journey.  

Keep that positive attitude and you deserve a lot of credit, not a little.  This takes work and you're doing it. 

What tools are you using?  Going for a walk, even a short one, is a great way to refocus your thinking and to get an added boost of dopamine. 

And don't forget your deep breathing.

Glad you stopped by.  It's the right thing to do know that you're not alone.  

Barb

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome!

Congratulations on your decision to quit, following through on it, and your first Day WON!  Here is a blog about early withdrawal symptoms you might find useful:  https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/t5/Best-of-EX/Early-Withdrawal-Symptoms/m-p/672938#M1022

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.becomeanex.org/nicotine-addiction_nicotine-and-your-brain/  I quit almost ten years ago on my first and only attempt at it, and I base my overall recommendations on my experience and that of others over the years I have volunteered here.

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:

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/t5/Journals-Blogs/101-Things-to-Do-Instead-of-Smoke/ba-p/1028319

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

[21yearsisenough]

While that nicotine is coming out it feels like eternity but the science says it’s 3 days (maximum 5).   Looking back, those are hard days to get through - with walks, lots of sleep, lots of water, lots of positive self talk, but once it’s out, you never have to feel that way again.  There will be emotional and psychologically triggers and challenges, habits to break, but the physical dependence is short short lived.  You are a bada$$ for staying away from those things.  If you don’t put one in your hand or in your mouth, you are a nonsmoker!

[Kimshine]

Welcome @mcmandaa! Quitting can definitely make us feel more erratic than normal. Good on you for your two days of freedom. It's going to take some time, but you can just make a commitment to yourself that you are going to carry on, no matter how uncomfortable you become. We are here to help you. 

[sweetplt]

Welcome to Ex’s @mcmandaa 

So glad you found us…you have received good advice from me. 

Keep busy … I hope you have a list of things to do in place of smoking.  (Ie., drink bottled water, take walks, take a shower, clean a room and/or closet, etc.,). You can do this, it takes time…and moment to moment of not feeding the addict.

We are here for you.  Keep close to the support site.  

~ Colleen 1237 DOF 

[pmt]

@mcmandaa,  GOOD FOR YOU!!   One day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time.  It's hard... hard work, but so many have done it, SO CAN WE!   🤩

pmt

[Mcj7712]

@mcmandaa 

Congrats on your success! You are doing great! Blog here often and if a craving happens - support will happen to get you through it! 
Focus on deep breathing - getting more oxygen and appreciating it can help!