outdoors trap

Discussion created by joanne10 on Feb 13, 2009
Latest reply on Feb 13, 2009 by chris-hollis

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this week in MA the weather had warmed cinsiderably (it has been the most awful winter i have ever seen) with the nicer weather i want to be outside and i have been daydreaming about the upcoming spring and summer when i can go for walks in the wooded trails and take my daughter to the playground and to the lake we like to go swimming at. these have always been some of my favorite things to do, but part of them has always been smoking. i guess it just occured to me that i dislike smoking much more in the winter time because the weather sucks and i only smoke outside, but with warmer weather coming i dont want to feel like i have to avoid being outside which is a big trigger for me. anyone have any suggestions on how i can get past the trigger and be able to still enjoy time outside without thinking i need a cigarette?

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chris-hollis Feb 13, 2009 12:01 PM

Good question Joanne!

I associate planting flower beds, veggie gardens and walking around the yard with smoking too. I'm thinking we're going to have to remember that being outside means we'll be breathing in FRESH air and we don't want to pollute that with smoke. I remember I'd light a cigarette while weeding a flower bed and the smoke would be in my eyes or I wouldn't get around to smoking much of it anyway so then I'd light another. Insane!

I'm going to work on getting that positive mindset about being outside and being grateful I'm not smoking. I won't be throwing butts down all over and will have that hand free that always had to carry the smokes and a lighter. Yeah....I can work with two hands. This is going to be SWEEEET. :)

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Giulia

Feb 13, 2009 4:44 PM

So here's a question - while you're daughter was at the playground, were you playing with her? Or were you sitting on the sidelines smoking and watching her? If the latter was the case (as I don't know of anyone who can smoke and play with their children at the same time I mean ACTIVELY play), then get into the figurative sandbox with her. My husband who is in his mid 60s works out in playgrounds all the time on the kids equipment. He often notices parents sitting there like lumps smoking and watching their kids. That's why I mention this.

I'd smoke and hike too. Talk about dumb! Geez. I'd pass people who looked at me like I was not only out of my mind but disgusting. Here I was in this pristine wilderness polluting it with cigarette exhalations. You need concepts to stop triggers - think about THAT.

Ever smoked and taken a swim at the same time? I didn't think so. Really look at the absurdity of smoking in God's wonderland of nature (even if you don't believe in God) and think again. You brain is simply trying to come up with excuses to not do what you've undertaken to do. You know better than that. Don't let it fool you.

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lenna Feb 14, 2009 10:09 AM

Break the association you make with the outdoors and smoking. Start slow, doing one outdoor activity at a time and focus your thoughts fully on being engaged in that activity.
If all else fails, I used to "pretend smoke", in other words, when I got the urge I would go through all the motions (without a cig or matches of course). What I found was that the anticipation of the smoke was the most mind consuming thing, so I would get rid of that anticipation. After a while, and getting "caught" by casual onlookers, finally cured me of smoking outside as a trigger.
And finally, breath that deep fresh air, and breath it in deeply, notice if you can breath deeply, and notice if your breathing becomes easier. Focus on the things that really matter in your life. You!

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3 Replies

chris-hollis Feb 13, 2009 12:01 PM
Good question Joanne!

I associate planting flower beds, veggie gardens and walking around the yard with smoking too. I'm thinking we're going to have to remember that being outside means we'll be breathing in FRESH air and we don't want to pollute that with smoke. I remember I'd light a cigarette while weeding a flower bed and the smoke would be in my eyes or I wouldn't get around to smoking much of it anyway so then I'd light another. Insane!

I'm going to work on getting that positive mindset about being outside and being grateful I'm not smoking. I won't be throwing butts down all over and will have that hand free that always had to carry the smokes and a lighter. Yeah....I can work with two hands. This is going to be SWEEEET. :)
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Giulia Feb 13, 2009 4:44 PM
So here's a question - while you're daughter was at the playground, were you playing with her? Or were you sitting on the sidelines smoking and watching her? If the latter was the case (as I don't know of anyone who can smoke and play with their children at the same time I mean ACTIVELY play), then get into the figurative sandbox with her. My husband who is in his mid 60s works out in playgrounds all the time on the kids equipment. He often notices parents sitting there like lumps smoking and watching their kids. That's why I mention this.

I'd smoke and hike too. Talk about dumb! Geez. I'd pass people who looked at me like I was not only out of my mind but disgusting. Here I was in this pristine wilderness polluting it with cigarette exhalations. You need concepts to stop triggers - think about THAT.

Ever smoked and taken a swim at the same time? I didn't think so. Really look at the absurdity of smoking in God's wonderland of nature (even if you don't believe in God) and think again. You brain is simply trying to come up with excuses to not do what you've undertaken to do. You know better than that. Don't let it fool you.
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lenna Feb 14, 2009 10:09 AM
Break the association you make with the outdoors and smoking. Start slow, doing one outdoor activity at a time and focus your thoughts fully on being engaged in that activity.
If all else fails, I used to "pretend smoke", in other words, when I got the urge I would go through all the motions (without a cig or matches of course). What I found was that the anticipation of the smoke was the most mind consuming thing, so I would get rid of that anticipation. After a while, and getting "caught" by casual onlookers, finally cured me of smoking outside as a trigger.
And finally, breath that deep fresh air, and breath it in deeply, notice if you can breath deeply, and notice if your breathing becomes easier. Focus on the things that really matter in your life. You!
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