quiting

[Rabbit21]

24 hours smoke free and can breathe better already. 

[champsin97]

Well that's a good start.  The benefits of quitting are numerous.  Just take it one day at a time.  Keep fighting everyday and post when you need support.  Stay close and stay strong!

[Cbefree]

Hello @Rabbit21 woo hoo here you go just wanted to welcome you, I'm on day 25 and have loved this site for not feeling so alone...always thought we should have a AA group for smoking. Be well, be kind to yourself, it's a journey

[Rabbit21]

thanks for the words of encouragement. still working on navigating how this all works. looking forward to this new chapter. 

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome!

Congratulations on Day WON!

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 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.

I quit over ten years ago , and I base my overall recommendations on my experience and that of others over the years. 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. Each cigarette you smoked contained about 1 mg of nicotine. If you use more than one form of NRT, be sure you aren't getting more than when you smoked.

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:

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 blue box.

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

[CommunityAdmin]

Congratulations on making one of the best decisions of your life... to be smoke free @Rabbit21! 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.

 Please continue to reach out!
Quiana, EX Team

[maryfreecig]

Welcome to Ex! This is a great community, a great site--hope you are getting around the site more comfortably! Congratulatios on your quit. 🙂

[green1611]

Great start @Rabbit21 

One day .. Day Won.

Welcome to EX excellent community. Stay connected.

All the Best !