5 days today

[Dushi]

Ive smoked since I was a teenager. I started chantix 2 wks ago . I do have cravings at certain times and especially when i go out on my deck or in my yard. There are things i feel better about not smoking Im just hoping these cravings start to go away. 

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome!

Look at YOU!  Almost conquered H#ll Week!  I hope the information and tips I will offer will help as you move forward.  I quit with Chantix; hoping you are just as successful!

An important thing you can still do now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. I was amazed when I learned that the stress reduction you feel when you ingest nicotine is caused by the brain receptors calming that have gradually built in volume jonesing for their next fix!  I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking”  that brings light two other things you might not know.  You can purchase a digital version online or borrow it at your local library.  Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction: Nicotine and Your Brain.

To better deal with the habit part of the addiction, 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.  On your deck, rearrange the furniture so the view is different.  Maybe add a plant or other decoration.  It might help for you to reduce your time on the deck and yard for the first couple of weeks of your quit.  Maybe go on your front porch, or for  walk instead.  If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your walking shoes 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.

After you have eliminated as many associations as you can, 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:

101 Things to Do Instead of Smoke - EX Community

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.

You might want to join other site members by taking the daily pledge when you quit. It helps to hold yourself accountable and also accountable to others here. Find it at Home (top left), then first box titled Take the Daily Pledge.

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

[Barbscloud]

@Dushi Welcome to the Ex and congrats on your 5 days quit.  You're off to a fabulous start on your journey to become and ex.

What you're experiencing is common.  Not only is nicotine a physical addiction, we have many psychological associations with smoking.  I had to stay off my deck part of the first spring/summer when I  quit.  I spent a lot of time there smoking, listening to music, having a beer, etc.   Try to create new associations surrounding being on your deck.  Someone here suggested blowing bubbles which I did and it actually worked.  Plus it was fun!

There is also something called the reward cigarette after completing a task such as yard work.   That was also a hard one for me and many long term quitters still experience that fleeting thought for a moment.  The important thing is we've learned not to act on it.  

Knowledge if power, so learn as much as you can about nicotine addiction and how to cope with those triggers, craving, and creating those new associations.  There's lots of great advice. information and support here.  It took me 50 years and multiple attempts to finally get it right.  When I found the Ex by accident, I learn how to quit for the first time and how invaluable support from other quitters means for a successful quit.

We're here for you, so reach out anytime we can help.  Sharing your journey reinforces your own quit.

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

Stay busy and stay close.

Barb

[Barbara145]

Congratulations on quitting smoking.  You are doing this. My cravings lasted a while. When they were bad I would take a walk.  It always helped.  Stay close to this site.  I could not have done it without the support from this site.  Enjoy your day.

[CommunityAdmin]

Welcome @Dushi  My name is Quiana, and I am a part of the EX Team. Congratulations on your decision to quit! I wanted to reach out and personally welcome you to the EX Community! We are so excited you have joined us. 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.

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

[biscuit9]

Stay strong, stay committed.  Day SIX today.  Not one puff, cos one puff always leads to another.  You have to starve it, you cannot feed the nic monster.  Distract, delay!  USE your tools right now.  One more day and hell week will be over.  The good news is that you never have to do hell week again.  You only have to do this once.  The more time you put between you and nicotine the better off you are. I know how challenging it is, but you are worth it.  Keep winning!

[Barbscloud]

@Dushi How it your quit going?   Anyway we can help, we're here to support you.

Barb