on Oct 18, 2017We have this discussion every Wednesday to offer encouragement and camaraderie to those in NML, basically months 2-3-4 of a quit. Regardless of how long you’ve been quit, anyone who likes the conversation and wants to offer support is welcome to participate!
We are happy if you just stop by to say hi and let us know you are still with us in NML. Feel free to offer up ideas on topic question and I will include them in next week’s post! Stop by daily or as often as you like! Don’t forget to post to the Daily Pledge!
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This week’s topic: Dealing with Stress
For so many years or even decades, we associated smoking with stress relief. In times of stress your brain is going to gravitate toward what it knows. That’s not something you can change in just a couple of months. So plan ahead – when a major stress hits you, how will you deflect the urge to smoke? What will you say to yourself, what action will you take, to drive away the sudden and powerful belief your brain will have, seemingly out of nowhere, that a cigarette would be helpful? PRACTICE it now, so you’re prepared when it happens!
Stress -> smoking thought -> acknowledge -> dismiss
“Yes I acknowledge that part of me thinks I want a cigarette. But, I know this is just my addiction attacking me in a weak moment. So there’s no point in dwelling on this thought. Instead, I’m going to turn my attention back toward resolving this stressful situation.”
Quitting smoking is a skill, and like any other skill, it takes practice. As you progress through No Man’s Land, you will put all of your new skills to work!
(Taken from an old NML Blog Weekly post by SarahP)
Click here to read Dale’s helpful blog about No Man’s Land:No Mans Land Days 30 to 130 (approximate)
Click here to read what to expect in the first four months: What To Expect In The First Four Months
Checking in here will help you get through NML and on your way to the first year where you can celebrate being in the 6% Club and graduate to eventually become an Elder!
Please let me know if you are interested in posting the NML Weekly Check In. I am happy to continue it, share it, or pass it to the nEXt EXer in NML who is ready, willing, and able.
NML List (Please let me know if there is anyone who has been missed!)
@Gregp136 – GRADUATED!!!
@Tw5152017 – GRADUATED!!!
Good morning. Stress affects everyone and all in different ways. It was the number one reason I smoked and continued to smoke even though I wanted to quit for years. I would tell myself: It is too stressful now to quit. It isn't the right time because I have this and that going on. It gives me a reason to step away from the situation. So when I was ready to quit I knew I had to find some alternative way to deal with stress. I did some research on relaxation techniques and came across this great article. It is designed for teens but I found very useful. Also, since I turned to cigarettes as a teen instead of learning these coping mechanism, I thought it was a good place to start.
Here is a link to the article: Teen Health - Health Topics - Stress - learning to relax
The thing I liked best about it was it didn't tell you what to do but had you think about what would work best for you. I find the deep breathing and medication work great when I feel overwhelmed. Exercise helps calm me by allowing me to release the extra tension and changes my focus. Reading lets me escape. Yoga combines the deep breathing and exercise elements and helps center my mind. I also like to journal my feelings - no punctuation or grammar required - rant, rave, and vent! Everyone should find what works best for them. If you don't know, try something and keep trying until you find what does work.