cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Share your quitting journey

100 Things to do instead of smoke

aztec
Member
78 139 13K

There has been a lot of "talk" about what to do when the urge strikes. This is a list of 100 things - you can add your own if you'd like!  I'm thankful to the person who wrote it. Read thru them you may find a thing or 2  that hits you just right!

  1. Read a book.
  2. Wash the car.
  3. Wash the dog.
  4. Go for a walk.
  5. Knit a scarf.
  6. Do a crossword puzzle.
  7. Take a nap.
  8. Call a friend.
  9. Post a comment on my page
  10. Play with the cat.
  11. Turn the bathroom into a spa and do all those beauty treatments.
  12. Listen to a relaxation tape or some favorite music.
  13. Go to a store and get a free make-up session.
  14. Give yourself a manicure and pedicure.
  15. Try out a new hair-do
  16. CHEW SOME CLOVES!
  17. Go to the movies.
  18. Hang out at a mall.
  19. Do a jigsaw puzzle online at Jigzone.com
  20. Breathe deeply!
  21. Swig down some ice water.
  22.  Jump on a treadmill or go to a gym.
  23. Give someone you love a huge hug.
  24. Plant some flowers.
  25. Do some exercise - swimming, aerobics, yoga, etc. Great for releasing endorphins (feel good factor) and relieving stress (physical and mental).
  26. Work out how to post a picture in the forum!
  27. Take up a new hobby/interest - channel your thoughts into something constructive and interesting.
  28. Work in the garden.
  29. Retail therapy with the cash you saved from not smoking.
  30. Suck on a piece of TART candy (Jolly Rancher is my personal favorite).
  31. Slather on a rich, creamy hand lotion and rub, rub, rub! It keeps fingers busy, and reminds you how nice it is not to have tobacco stink on them.
  32. Eat a popsicle.
  33. Floss and brush your teeth.
  34. Make-out with your special someone! Hubby hated kissing me when I smoked, but now he LOVES it. Soooo, when the urge strikes and he's within kissing distance, I plant a big one on him!
  35. Chew gum.
  36. Chew a toothpick (shiny teeth).
  37. Spend time with a kid.
  38. Give yourself a treat every day of your quit - not matter how small.
  39. Spend an hour filling the paddling pool in the garden on a gorgeous sunny day, only to find that the kids would rather play on the computer.
  40. Play several games of Internet Scrabble, and hopefully win one!
  41. Walk in an old graveyard with the man you love.
  42. Get your jammies on early, and park yourself in front of your computer for the night.
  43. Build a REAL closet
  44. Hang the sheetrock on said closet.
  45. Do the mudding, taping and sanding on that closet.
  46. Paint the closet.
  47. Add the doors to the closet.
  48. And last...when the real closet is finished, create THE CHOCOLATE CLOSET on this site.
  49. Hang on dearly to a caramel apple sucker.
  50. Sing loudly.
  51. Practice smiling in the mirror (releases endorphins)!
  52. Make lists of pros and cons of smoking.
  53. Find gross smoking disease pictures.
  54. Play with Silly Putty.
  55. Whistle "Don't Worry - Be Happy."
  56. Get a camera, and take some pictures.
  57. Write a letter (you know...on paper).
  58. Clean OUT the closets.
  59. Crank up the radio and sing at the top of your lungs (works great for driving craves).
  60. Crank up the radio and dance like no one is watching.
  61. Make a puzzle.
  62. Organize your boxes of pictures.
  63. Alphabetize your CD rack.
  64. Come here and read and post.
  65. Go to miniclip.com and PLAY GAMES.
  66. Do your nails. Hard to smoke with wet nails. I've tried.
  67. Take a shower.
  68. Take a candle-lit bath.
  69. Clean out a messy drawer.
  70. Take a day trip.
  71. Try making home-made candles or soap.
  72. Run in place.
  73. Do some jumping jacks.
  74. Start a reward fund - put away the amount you spend on smokes every day and use it to treat yourself once in awhile.
  75. Write a poem.
  76. Go antique shopping.
  77. Go plant a flower for every negative thought.
  78. Go to church/talk to God.
  79. Let your husband cook supper for you.
  80. Call your Grandmother!
  81. Paint a room.
  82. Eat a hot fudge sundae.
  83. Go play mini-golf.
  84. Clean the basement or garage.
  85. Wax the car.
  86. Make love with your significant other.
  87.  Scrub the floor.
  88. Treat yourself to a massage.
  89. Chop up some veggies for a stir-fry - keep your hands busy!
  90. Clean out the litter box.
  91. Check your car's tire pressure.
  92. Call a radio show and request a song.
  93. Go ride a few rollercoasters.
  94. Take a walk in nature.
  95. Watch the sun set.
  96. Write a goodbye letter to cigarettes
  97. Donate blood.
  98. Color your hair.
  99. Make a greeting card.
  100. Write a list of things you are grateful for
139 Comments
CommunityAdmin
Community Manager
Community Manager

@Sandyjean93 here are some more ideas for you! 

~Margaret, EX Community Admin Team

Rickygenebyrd12

Ok

Barbscloud
Member

@Rickygenebyrd12 Welcome to the Ex.  I see you have quite a few quit days.  What brings you to the Ex now?


Barb

Kittle4609
Member

Good tools

Barbscloud
Member

@Kittle4609 Welcome to the Ex.  Glad you found us. We would love to hear more from you.

Super congrats on 18 days of success.

We're here for you, so reach out anytime we can help.

Barb

Tina3434
Member

I love to paint 🎨 , and chewing gum is a good idea also ,Thank you.

mamerson
Member

I need alot of work i have been struggling with depression so I will work on triggers i like singing competition that helps watching people sing 

Barbscloud
Member

@mamerson Welcome to the Ex and congrats on your decision to quit.

You can win that internal battle by educating yourself about nicotine addiction and putting a plan in place with how you'll deal with cravings, identifying your triggers and creating the new associations you'll create instead of smoking. This comes into play when you're having cravings in the morning. What can you do instead of smoking? Change up your routine. Go for walk, read material on the Ex, if you drink coffee, for example, drink it in a different place, etc. Be creative.

And you just found an amazing group of quitters here to support you on this journey to becoming an Ex. There will be ups and downs, but that is part of the journey. We're here for you, so just reach out anytime we can help or want to share your experience.

This link is a great place to get you started on the right track. https://www.becomeanex.org/guides/?cid=footer_community_linktobex


Join many of us on the  Daily Pledge to stay on track one day at a time.

Look forward to celebrating with you on the 17th.

Here are a few posts from the Mayo Clinic you may find helpful.

Debunking myths around quitting and mental health - EX Community

Quitting Smoking Can Improve Mental Health - EX Community

Smoking, depression, anxiety, and stress - EX Community

Smoking and depression - EX Community

Consider creating your own post and post to My Journal/Blog to introduce yourself to the community and receive some well deserved support.

Stay busy and stay close. Glad you found us!

Barb

 

 

 

 

Tina3434
Member

I absolutely love music 🎶 I'm going to my first Concert ever October 3rd seeing Ronnie Milsap, Kelly Clarkson,And Little Big Town ... Problem my girlfriend' smokes in the car and I'm sure at the concert I will be chewing a lot of gum perhaps put Vicks on my nose to avoid the cigarette smell 🤣

jojo_2-24-11
Member

Tina, enjoy the concert sounds like fun! Besides chewing tons of gum, I chewed on coffee stirrers. Worked for me. It's been 12 1/2 years since my last cigarette and I've said since that last puff it's the best thing I ever did. 

Barbscloud
Member

@Tina3434 Enjoy you first concert.  Have a plan in place in you'll do just fine.  Can you ask your friend to wait to smoke once you're out of the car?   

Congrats on 3 days of success.

Let us know how it goes!

Barb

 

Tina3434
Member

Thank Y'all, I'm sure she'll wait till I'm out of the car she also wants to quit But Hasn't so hopefully I can be a role model for her and my parents 💓

Kexton18
Member

@Bre-3-smokefree you should read this. I copied some to hang up as reminders. Thank you for making this list!

burbleberry
Member

Spicy food, powdered hot peppers.

DougWillis
Member

I like 32, 35 and Going for a bike ride is something I found helps me! 

Marblehead
Member

Still hanging in there. I got some areas covered but I still need to figure out what else I can do since I'm not a gum chewer and all the beverage and water drinking makes my stomach feel too full. Hmm...🤔 What to do what to do?

CommunityAdmin
Community Manager
Community Manager

@Marblehead I've seen a few other folks recommend cinnamon Altoids or cinnamon hard candy. (Hopefully you like cinnamon!) 

And here are a few more resources that might help: 

https://www.becomeanex.org/ex-resources/about-quitting/stay-quit/what-are-best-tools-quitting-cigare...

https://www.becomeanex.org/ex-resources/about-quitting/stay-quit/build-new-habit-loop/

Keep us posted on what ends up working for you!

- Danielle, EX Team

Langus
Member

Very helpful list!

Dhamilton197643

In going to save this list! This is great!

Cstbama76
Member

#100 is my favorite.  Your mind and hands are busy and it’s a great reflection and feel good tool in general!

latrishalwalker

These are some good suggestions. I have a few in mind. I'm copying n pasting as my reminder. Thank u 🙏🏾

clifffalls3012

Great list. My car does need waxing. Im going to read the list again and right down some things i can do.

zipzap500
Member

Your creative. My name is Alan. Email that list to me at zipzerozapper@yahoo.com 

slkratzer
Member

lets get started

kaseyw803
Member

I love hugging someone u love 

ChasityEvans
Member

Thanks for the list

amberjarman
Member

I understand this is gonna be hard but I'll be more healthy 

CommunityAdmin
Community Manager
Community Manager

Thinking of the positive benefits of quitting @amberjarman will help you commit to your quir journey.

Quiana, EX Team

ardraenglish
Member

Hi Everyone!
Today is my first day.   I am looking at this list, and I may need to try several per day.   ...I might just be a totally different person by the time I quit.    

Barbscloud
Member

@ardraenglish Welcome to the Ex.  Please consider creating a post at My Journal/Blog on the home page to introduce yourself to the community and receive some well deserved support.

And join many of us on the Daily Pledge to stay on track one day at a time.

Congrats on the first day of your quit.

Stay busy and stay close.

Barb

 

CommunityAdmin
Community Manager
Community Manager

Hello and welcome @ardraenglish! My name is Quiana, and I am a part of the EX Team.  I wanted to reach out and personally welcome you to the EX Community! This is a very supportive community so feel free to keep us all posted on your quit journey reach out and let us know if you need anything. You may find our Daily Pledge page helpful to make a commitment not to smoke on a day-by-day basis. Posting there will also bring visibility to your journey to others who take the pledge daily.

Here are some articles that might be helpful as you prepare for your quit date: 

https://www.becomeanex.org/ex-resources/about-quitting/get-ready-to-quit/right-before-you-quit/

https://www.becomeanex.org/ex-resources/about-quitting/get-ready-to-quit/3-ways-to-get-your-support-...

Quiana, EX Team

BRWQUEEN7
Member

I'm going to try some of these methods. Thank you 

mark7689
Member

great list thank you 

ANNEMARIEA
Member

I love this list!  Great suggestions

TracyCoffey
Member

Thanks, these tips were very effective.

Kandyland
Member

Those ideas are wonderful, and they work...I bet. I just read them and I'm going to try all I can of them. Thank you for the ideas. 

Barbscloud
Member

@Kandyland Welcome to the Ex and congrats on your upcoming quit. Glad you found us.  The 100 things to do will be a great distraction for your quit journey.  Walking is especially helpful to refocus your thoughts and get an added boot of dopamine lost when quitting.

If you haven't done so already, it's not to late to educate yourself about nicotine addiction and create a quit plan.  This link has some great information to get your started.

https://www.becomeanex.org/guides/?cid=footer_community_linktobex

Also, join many of us on the Daily Pledge to stay on track one day at a time.

There's lot of wonderful support here, so reach out anytime we can help.

Consider creating your own post at My Journal/Blog on the home page to introduce yourself to the community and receive encouragement from fellow quitters.

Stay busy and stay close.

Barb

Tsutton28
Member

I will try as many as I can.

Myshelby
Member

I find I like to sleep so,  I dont smoke.

I like to hike as well an be outdoors.