Tips

[MeghanS0730]

Any tips on quitting? I set my date for 2 weeks out to help me prepare. I know it's going to be extremely hard seeing as my husband is not going to quit with me. My only support system is my children (who ask me daily to quit). I don't want to smoke anymore and I have a lot of triggers to overcome. Any and all advice is welcome.

[gregp136]

Your support is here.  Look around.  See the kids on the swings?  They are here to help you.  See the ones on the slide?  They will be here whenever that nicotine bully comes around and tries to get you to leave this wonderful, smoke free playground.  Come here for support, for friendship, to vent, and to play.  Read a lot here, and share here, and you will get amazing strength from everyone.  Some of the kids have been here a very long time.  Others are fairly new. Some, like me were here, but failed, but now are back to get more support that is given with hesitation and wrapped in love.

Most important, though, is to accept the help that is given here.  It took me longer to then most to discover this.

[Cousin-Itt]

Welcome, Meghan @MeghanS0730 

  Education read and lean as much as you can about quitting.   physically and the mental aspect...  The first week is truly the hardest but very doable.  Knowing what to expect will make it more bearable

    The chart may help you

[JACKIE1-25-15]

Quick Quips 

Welcome and Congratulations on one of the greatest journeys of your life, the nonsmoking one.   You have come to the right place if you are willing to do what is necessary to be smoke free. Foremost NOPE (not one puff ever.)   Education is the key to a successful quit.  iI you haven’t started reading the suggested material you are missing an .important step of the journey.  Here we dispel the myths and brainwashing we have learned about smoking.  You will gain tools and skills to unlearn some of the behavior smoking has created.  You will have to be accepting that you do not have to smoke, no matter what.

The Elders  and members are here to support you.  There are daily pledges groups, affirmation groups you can join to help strengthen your quit.  The action is in the blogs, front and center so introduce yourself and let us get to know you.  If you have a question, please feel free to ask.  Someone will help.  If you are have a serious problem with your quit type help in the blog and let us know how we can help. I suggest that you stay as close as possible until your quit grows.  Be mindful of what is going on with your quit. Know HALT Hungry Angry Lonely Tired can be confused with triggers.  Don’t give up.  We are here to support you.

Below is a little info to help you get started https://www.becomeanex.org/my-ex-plan/?cid=nav_community_linktobex

Start First, by educating yourself about nicotine addiction. 

Education is the key to a successful quit.

Read: Freedom from Nicotine My Journey Home and Nicotine Addiction 101         

Here are the links      http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksAAddiction.html   and  http://whyquit.com/ffn/

Also Read   Allen Carr’s book, “Easy Easier Way to Quit Smoking”.    Can be found on the web   

Again welcome.  I will ask @YoungAtHeart to give you her welcome information also. 

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome!

The important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.”    You can search for it online or at your local library.  Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be

From my own experience and that of others here, if you decide to use a quit aid, I recommend those that don't let the addict control the dose such as Rx drugs and the patch.

It will be informative if you do the tracking and separation exercises recommended here on the site. As you track each cigarette smoked, note its importance, and what you might do instead. Put each one off just a little to prove that you don't NEED a cigarette just because you think you do.
 

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit.  If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! .  Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.
 
You need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Keep a cold bottle of water with you. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. You might visit “Games”: The active ones are at the top of the list going down the left side of the page.

Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/t5/Journals-Blogs/101-Things-to-Do-Instead-of-Smoke/ba-p/1028319

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

 Nancy