So i've been blessed with a re-surgence of my asthma and a chronicaly bad cold its been easy quiting because just how awful it has been to smoke. So im at day 3 and im thinking to myself i can keep this up so long as i have a cold and dont see anyone else smoke... fat chance of that happening so i was wondering for those of you who have successfully (and some who haven't) quit smoking, what methods do you find to keep your mind off of cigarettes? Also i am a very nervous person which i think is what is going to make it the hardest because when i am nervous i feel like smoking, what relaxation methods do any of you guys know of that can replace smoking?.. not including gum i hate gum.
Well, I quit over 3 months ago... but, I am not sure I used any sort of method really... I just didn't focus on it, period. The less you think about it, the less you want to... So I guess if it crosses your mind, you have to find a way to not focus on that thought... I occupied myself with work, exercise, art, or even sleep... Otherwise, something helpful, that I did use, because I have an oral fixation... was cinnamon sticks. You can put them in between your fingers like a cigarette, put them up to your mouth, inhale through them, etc. I used them a lot the first week or two, and then didn't need to anymore. Hmm lets see what else... they say you shouldn't drink coffee, because it often makes people want to have a smoke, but I never stopped drinking coffee during my quit and I was fine. It's weird because, when I first quit smoking, I felt as if I would be bored all the time, or not have as much fun without smoking... but it was so ridiculous to feel that way, because not smoking really IMPROVES your life. I can go for jogs now without becoming short winded after a couple minutes and what not. If you're feeling bored, then DO something! DON'T pick up a cigarette. Find fun ways to spend the money you have left over from NOT buying cigarettes, it will make you feel more positive, and happy about the quit. But I dont know, I dont have any really good, foolproof methods... I just really wanted to, so I did. Anytime I wanted a cigarette, I reminded myself of what I would be doing if I had one--- It's hard for me to tell you any one thing, because I don't know you personally, but for me, just the thought of failing at something I wanted to do was drive enough to keep at it--- I'm a perfectionist that way, and I would beat myself up if I had a drag of a cigarette. Oh and yeah I have bad anxiety, so I know where you're coming from... I guess when I got stressed or anxious, I would just take a hot shower, or sleep if I couldn't find any other way to do it... or I would buy myself stuff lol--- Hoenstly, when I quit smoking I had a HUGE spending problem, because having extra money mixed with stress = bad situation. Try drinking relaxing teas... in the organic/herbal section of most supermarkets or other grocery stores and what not, they carry a few good lines of teas, and I've seen a couple different brands that have teas for tension and stress relief, bedtime, etc. The tension and stress relief one worked REALLY well for me. Or maybe get suckers/lollipops if you need to do something with your hands and mouth when you get nervous. Good luck!!!! [P.S. I just remembered the reason I don't have any good solid methods, is because the biggest thing that kept me from smoking was my poor circulation-- I was developing painful, itchy bumps all over my fingers and toes-caused by poor circulation- that interfered with my ability to handwrite, and walk without being in pain...You have issues with your cold...focus on that, and the fact that if you keep smoking you will never feel better. I, too, fell ill with chronic sinus infections, and now that I don't smoke, I haven't had one in a while ]
Thank you Apples+Oranges, I know no one can give anyone a full proof method for quiting smoking but the information you have posted is very useful. I especially like this bit, it's very useful imformation to keep in mind.
Well thank you I guess I just meant, I didn't have much of a method at all... Like, I've seen people do amazing things when they quit smoking, the props and programs they use to get through it. In MY opinion all those things aren't necessary... For me, it made it worse. I quit once before, and I tried to do all those things, and I joined quitnet.com and everything, and it made it worse for me, because then my mind was more focused on it. My mind was focused on not smoking; whereas this time around, I didn't focus period. And when I did crave a cigarette I pretended that me wanting a cigarette was just like any other time that I wanted a cigarette, and I could wait 5 minutes...and I would wait 5 minutes, and if the craving wasn't gone, I told myself I already waited 5 minutes I can wait another 5. It was rare I had to do that, because I kept my mind so FAR away from the mere thought of smoking. When I decided I wasn't going to smoke anymore, I kept thinking like, "I was fine before I started smoking, so I can do it again" [I used to have the same logic when a guy would break up with me 'I was fine without him before, I'll be fine without him now!' lol] And I think that put my mind in the right state. It might take you a few tries to fully quit, but you can do it. And if you do slip up, or relapse, remember how much like shit it made you feel, but don't completely kick yourself for it, or it will make quitting too stressful. [and yeah, I guess I have more suggestions than I thought]
yeah i slipped up last night and had a few smokes and honestly even though i was craving a cig before hand i felt better prior to having the smoke. Im sure im going to slip up but im going to keep at it... school is going to be hard today.
Well its been a couple of days and i'm feeling alot better then i have in a long time, it's also been a hell of a lot easier to wake up in the morning.
I have so many reasons to not smoke. I am Diabetic for one. My dumbass started smoking after I graduated high school, and I still don't know why. I was so strongly against smoking. I hated smokers. Maybe I became one so that I would understand it, experience it. And falling in love with a smoker obviously didn't help any. So I've been smoking for 8 years now and I realize it's time to stop. I agree that one thing to look forward to is how much money can be saved when you quit. Why spend so much killing yourself? I also heard that eating potatoes doesn't help you quit - or any kind of starch really. Just not thinking about it helps. Clear it from your mind. I tried to stop last night. It was just before bedtime when I smoked my last cigarette. I said to myself, "I quit", and then went to bed. I woke up and didn't think about it, but as soon as I went downstairs to join my roommate (who happens to be a lung cancer survivor) I saw her smoking. I thought a did great for 1 night, but then she had me go buy her cigarettes and so I bought myself some. It's all mental. It's all personality. Drop your mind and your personality and you don't have a reason to smoke, or to drink, or to be violent, etc.
I have been trying to quit for about a year but havent gone for more than a couple days without a smoke. Everyone i live with smokes, my parents have always smoked, and all my friends smoke. I started when i was about 13 just for the hell of it & got addicted like a dumbass & have been smoking for almost 4 years now. I am starting to have breathing problems, i wheeze, and i have a permanent hacking cough. I really think this summer is the best time for me to quit, but its hard when everyone smokes in my house. i try to tell everyone to go outside, but my dad and brothers refuse. my best friend is the only one who listens, but if im going to quit i need more help than that. i dont like to admit it but i dont think i can quit on my own
me too. i have a lot of nervous energy. i smoke, bite my nails, im always fidgety. smoking definetly helps with that. looks like im in the same boat as you
Just a quick update, i've still been off of the ciggies, and when i am around friends and other smokers i havent been too tempted and i havent caved in, this is going well
Havent had a slip up yet, im not too worried about cigs, im not doing too great at the moment but im still not even thinking about cigs very much. This morning i woke up and i didnt even want that first cig in the morning, i just drink coffee... but i didnt want that first cig in the morning at all... thats huge. I think i am becoming a coffee drinker now, its not ideal but its certainly ALOT better, i have also made a resolution to stop drinking... which has been pretty damn easy because i dont drink very often at all but i know if i do have ONE drink i am going to be craving a cigarette so bad!
The only way you are going to quit smoking for good is by cold turkey. Willpower is the only way to kick the habit, with a little help of some nicotene patches.
ive been smoking pretty heavy for about a year and a half and i have to say its one of the dumber things i have done. @ non smokers, please dont start! its not worth it
Start playing a massive multiplayer online rople playing game. Then, everytime you want a cig, you just go and play the game. If you can go 3 days without having one, then you're able to quit.
I'm not gonna lie, I started smoking again a couple weeks ago >.< Now I get to re-quit, that should be fun. If YOU come up with any ideas, lol, throw 'em out there. In the meantime, I need to go buy some f*in cinnamon sticks to suck air through hahaha EDIT TO SAY: My ideas did work wonderfully, just don't be stupid like I was and let "cigarette detox" get the best of you. Things such as acne, constipation, headaches, etc are going to happen, and I did the dumb thing and gave into those temporary side affects. I am really ashamed, I was quit for 3 whole fucking months, and got so upset that I got acne and found it harder to use the bathroom. Pathetic.
