So, just what will you do with this time now?
You may want to consider if there are areas in your life that have been neglected because of your tobacco use. Or are there activities that you would like to become more involved in again now that you are tobacco free?
It may seem a bit overwhelming to think of the many areas in your life. However, one way you can begin this process is to create a wellness vision, which is simply a description of how you envision your life as a non-tobacco user. A wellness vision really comes down to what you will value now that you are no longer using tobacco. You may see yourself participating in more physical activities – walking, playing tennis, or running after grandchildren. Or you may see yourself taking a nice vacation this summer with the money you have saved from not buying tobacco products. Or perhaps you are enjoying feeling more empowered now that you have conquered this addiction and are bringing that confidence into other parts of your life.
You can begin this “inventory” by considering the various domains of your life (i.e., family, work, friends, physical activity, volunteering, etc.), and how your current level of participation in each of them fits with your personal values. What areas or interests do you currently emphasize in your life? What areas are not so important to you at this time? Are there areas in which you would like to delve into more?
This brings us to the concept of the wellness wheel. While the idea is often shown in a circular form, with each “piece” of the wellness “pie” representing a specific area, it can be looked at in a more linear format as well. While these areas do overlap quite a bit, the different content areas can be helpful to review when we are looking at planning for a life after tobacco use.
While the concept is similar, the content areas of the wellness wheel can vary from one version to another. In the following version, the areas are labeled as: Social, Spiritual, Mental, Physical, Vocational and Recreational.
Let’s consider each of these areas in more detail:
Social: This area emphasizes having a strong social support/network. Do you enjoy a close relationship with your family or a group of friends? Do you belong to a club or other volunteer organization?
Spiritual: This area considers our search for meaning and purpose, and our relationship with the inner self (soul) or a higher power. One’s spirituality is a very personal and individual process. Do you enjoy a walk out in nature or listening to meaningful music? Do you enjoy reading spiritual or uplifting material? Or do you pray, attend religious services, or participate in a spiritual community?
Mental: This area looks at what activities you participate in that stimulate your mind. Do you enjoy learning about new things? Are you an avid reader? Do you enjoy participating in seminars or community activities? Do you enjoy teaching others about your areas of interest?
Physical: This “piece” of the wellness “pie” considers the need for regular physical activity. Many who quit tobacco find that engaging in some type of physical activity regularly can really help with cravings and urges to use tobacco. Do you enjoy walking, hiking, biking? Do you play T-ball with the kids? Are you on a community bowling league?
Vocational: What skills or talents do you bring to your current occupation or volunteer work? What needs does it fulfill for you that keeps you interested and motivated in that type of work?
Recreational: What do you do just for fun? Do you find time each day to do something that you genuinely enjoy? Do you relish in “movie nights” with the family, or trying a new recipe?
In planning your tobacco-free life, you may want to consider these areas and see if there is one or two that you would like to consider making more present in your life.
When you look at these areas, is there one or two that you feel are particularly important to you? Are there one or two areas that you are not emphasizing currently, that you would like to incorporate more into your life? And if so, how might you begin to do that?
