Positive Thinking

[Dr_Hays]

Self-talk is the endless stream of thoughts that run through your heads every day. This “conversation with yourself” can affect how you feel.  Positive thoughts can help you feel happier and more hopeful, and negative thoughts can engender sad feelings and caution.   The reverse is also true, how you feel affects the stream of thoughts running through your head. It can be empowering to know that, with attention and practice, thoughts and feelings are amenable to change, and being able to flexibly change thought patterns and feelings can enhance well-being. 

Many people spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about things that cannot be controlled, or get stuck in a negative pattern of thinking.  This can activate emotions and physical processes that are intended to help deal with emergencies.  Tight muscles, clenched jaw, headaches, poor digestion and fitful sleep can be the result. While there is a time for being concerned and dealing with emergencies, being able to bounce back and create an optimistic hopeful perspective can reduce the effects of stress on the body.  Optimism is linked to a number of benefits such as better resistance to the common cold, reduced risk of coronary artery disease, improved weight management, a sense of well-being and a longer life.

Optimism or pessimism can affect your quality of life, and also your efforts to stay tobacco-free. While it is important to plan to avoid relapse, worrying about it incessantly or fretting about how difficult it is to manage cravings, can be exhausting.  But, by bringing in a fair share of optimism you can build hope, confidence and resilience for living a happier smoke free life.

Try turning your thoughts around! Here are some examples:

Negative self-talk                                            Positive spin

This is too hard, I give up.                              I’ve done it so far, I can keep at it.

I can’t stand it!                                              This is hard, but I am strong.

I’m not a nice person when I quit.                  My friends understand what I’m going

                                                                   through, and it won’t last forever.

If you are struggling, take a moment to observe how you’re thinking.  If you are being unfairly pessimistic try making a change.  You deserve to feel your best.

[JonesCarpeDiem]

The worst case scenario we create and are worried about, usually doesn't happen.

So, worrying is a waste of time and life.

[Puff-TM-Draggin]

So true.  For a minute I thought you wrote this article especially for me.  I'm discovering that stress, anxiety, and fear actually stimulate physical responses from the body.  Duh!  When you think about it, it only makes sense.  It's part of your bodies innate survival mechanism.  When someone jumps out from hiding as if to attack you, when you nearly have an accident with your car, when a stranger threatens to clock you, your body releases chemicals to prepare you for fight or flight; your heartbeat increases, your breathing changes, your muscle tighten.  What we might not realize is that prolonged threats and fears that are present over prolonged periods of time also, just as likely, send signals.

I chose to quit smoking subsequent to the most stressful, anxious, and uncertain time of my life so far.  Even after 60 days smoke free, I continue to feel physical symptoms very similar to those I associated with withdrawal from nicotine.  Since the possibility of physical withdrawal symptoms 60 days free from nicotine contradicts medical science, I am attributing my uncomfortable sensations to stress and anxiety, which are still present in my life.  Unfortunately, the discomfort is so similar to withdrawal, I feel I am being perpetually seduced by my addicition, when in fact, I need to find ways to better cope with the stress and anxiety.

I imagine positive thinking would be of value toward that goal.

Wow!  What a great and insightful comment I just wrote.  I am fantastic.  I should start feeling better right about ....

= )

[kristen-9-7-15]

I am a very negative thinker 😞

[TerrieQuit]

I have told myself that I am comfortable all through my quit, sometimes i'm really not! But I come back with yes, I am! It works! So this all makes sence! and, yes Puff, very insightful comment! :=)

Terrie  116  DOF

[YoungAtHeart]

I like a quote attributed to Henry Ford:

"If you think you can or think you can't, you are right!"

Nancy

[Sootie]

I so believe in the basis of this blog! I have practiced positive thinking for many years now. IT DOES INDEED WORK!   And it works on everything in life---not just quitting smoking.

Positive thinking and learning not to worry makes you a happier person and so---a more pleasant person to be around. It's a win/win situation.

[X4good]

We can do it, YES we can!

[freeneasy]

This a good blog. I know that positive thinking means a happier more productive me VS negative thinking climbing the worry wall and less accomplishment.It's not that easy to change course. Quitting smoking was a real eye opening lesson and confidence builder though- to quit I had to accentuate the positive.

[ladawna]

Wow! Thank you for posting that 🙂

[bonniebee]

From the very beginning of this quit i have tried to think positive and elders here have helped me do that by there very positive blogs !

One thing that has helped me so much is Jonescarp aka. dale's advice to say "I don't do that anymore " so very simple and yet it has helped me through many craves .

I say that to myself and then think of what I will do instead .

When negative thoughts begin to rise up i beat them down with a lot of positive self- talk like "I have been smoke -free for this many days of coarse I do not need a sickerette "(Thanks Thomas for that new word  calling them by that name helps ! }

Another thing that has helped me is keeping a sense of humor about the withdrawal i like what dale said about laughing at the craves ! I laugh at that ole Nic !

Thanks Dr. Hayes for this blog are you an EX too ?

[tools4work]

Hi DrHays, That was a great article! I have been doing some of what you suggested and it does help with feeling better. Something else that's good for us is to practice self-compassion. We should be nice to ourselves and treat ourselves as we would a close friend.

[andej]

I'm gobbling up what everyone is writing as my quit date soon approaches.  Ive never  been a highly disciplined gal, (or lowly either,) but dammit, I want to breathe, have breath and be active a lot longer than I'm going to if I don't stop.  

[Eric_L.]

GREATBLOG