All of us talk a lot about triggers….things, places, situations which cause us to want to smoke. But I was thinking today….what about “non triggers”? Things, places, situations where we never smoked and so…..there is no association between those things and smoking. Possibly harder to come up with…..but still they are there.
For me---
1. This is probably one for a LOT of us……the bathroom! I realize some “did” but most of us probably never smoked there. Staying in the bathroom will insure you are clean!! Get some bubbles or some aroma therapy salts and take a soak. Relaxing and a non trigger.
2. Church- you will not only be clean but quite holy! C’mon----no one smoked in church/synagogue/mosque or whatever. Spending more time in these places can ONLY lead to good!
3. For some reason….big smokers that we were….my husband and I did not smoke while walking in the woods. No plan….just didn’t. Actually walking anywhere, I just never smoked. Smoking “doesn’t go” with walking.
4. Here’s a “fun” one…..reach back into childhood. The other night I went skating. I NEVER smoked while skating because I was a kid when I last skated. It was really, really fun. It doesn’t have to be skating…..bike riding will work or even a game or hobby you did when you were a child. Smoking has no hold there. (You know what is really fun? Skipping……find a private place and give it a try---seriously…..it’s great. I don’t know why I ever gave it up.)
5. Swimming……hard to smoke while swimming---you have to admit. If you are a swimmer I bet you never smoked there.
6. Playing the piano. I took piano lessons for many, many years when I was a child. And when I play the piano----smoking simply never had a place in that activity….an ash tray on my piano??!!!! No way.
So while you are working on your triggers…..have some fun and work on your “non triggers”. They were probably some of the most enjoyable times you ever had.
Stay Strong