Hi October Ex-Smokers,

Most ex-smokers have certain things that helped them through the rough patches.  These were mine.  I bet everyone else has things that they can share to help each other.

                                                                 My Favorite Craving Busters    

The morning is a good time to battle the brain’s messages with truth.  Tell yourself you feel this way because of nicotine addiction and that you are going to beat it.  Keep telling yourself you can do this and that you will get your freedom. Say it out loud every day to yourself.

As soon as you feel the crave come on, distract yourself immediately, do something else. If you are healthy, exercise, walk or do aerobics. When you feel like you are going to bust, climb up and down the steps or just get up and walk and walk. If I had to do it again, I would get a punching bagJ

Keep redirecting your mind to the truth about nicotine and cigarettes.  Remind yourself that cigarettes were killing you slowly.  Remember, how long nicotine addiction controlled you. It controlled me over 40 years.

Drink as much ice water as possible.  When cravings are very bad, drink the whole glass down.

Sit in an upright chair and take 5-10 slow deep breaths.  It calms down that panicky feeling.

Come to the forum and read. Try to support someone that is struggling.  It will help you at the same time.

Pledge not to smoke at the beginning of every day.

Read as many articles in the library as possible. You need to know your enemy to defeat it. Get educated on nicotine addiction and the tools to get through the rough times. You can actively overcome self-defeating thoughts.  I learned that here.

Keeping a journal will help you cope.  Write down your feelings.  Write down all phrases or posts that inspire you along the journey.  Go back and reread when you feel like you are in a fog.  You will see the progress you are making right before your eyes.

Find yourself a little hobby you can go to when you don’t know what to do with yourself and want to focus on something.  I put together Legos of all sizes for 6 months. It helped enormously.  A friend of mine bought large jigsaw puzzles and worked on it a little every day. One buddy loved adult coloring books.

If you are not sleeping well, check out the meditative music on U tube. Some of them are 8 hours long and very relaxing.

Put on some favorite, loud music and sing at the top of your lungs. 

Find things that make you laugh.  It releases pent up emotions and good chemicals in our bodies.

Don’t be afraid to have a good cry.  That does the same thing.

Let the junkie thoughts go by like a movie, try not to let them bother you.  They are just thoughts.

Well that was quite the test. Checked into a hotel, went across the street to a casino for there buffet. It was really good. Didn't notice it much walking in, but coming out it was busier and full of smoke. I couldn't believe how strong the smell was. It stunk but at the same time kinda liked it. Made for the exit post haste. Tip avoid casinos.

10/13/2019

Mark

Boy I thought for the first time in A long time that this was going to be different kind of quit. Seemed like things were alot difernet and easier than ever before. Up too yesterday (day 9) then WHAM the erges came on like gang busters all ganging up on me 1 after another all day long. It was a rough one and was a fight. Feal like "Rocky" at the top of the steps I conquered the day. Feelin strong now. So here I am sitting wondering what the day will bring. It's ND football tonight at the freinds guess what there smokers. Then it hits me that I shouldn't wonder about the day!!! Just at this moment in time Cause get thru 1 at a time!!!!

Does anyone know about how the lungs are suppose to feel over time? My lungs feel really heavy I'm coughing some times but not really alot. Seeems like they get heavier everyday-I know it's only day 9 without smokin but I thought it was suppose to get better not Worse.

Hi 48,

You can get through each trigger, one at a time.  Try to let the triggers flow over you.  Deep breathing really helps a lot .

If at all possible avoid smokers.  It is unnecessary torture -in my opinion.

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Your lungs are starting to heal. All the sticky brown tar that coats your throat, lung passages and every cell in your body are undergoing Big Change. Our brain still has its mutitude of normal daily continuous functions and now it must rewire your thinking, memories and emotions that go along with smoking. It's no wonder your nervous system is jittery and we get all moody and anxious. We also may find our throat sore and our lungs feel a little weird. I found my throat tasted like charcoal and it stayed that way for a good two months as the cilia (fine hairs) started to regrow and the dead icky tar sticky cells sloughed off. The coughing up stuff came in waves right up to six months and so I made sure I drank a lot of water to help stay hydrated. You will see other things as the weeks and months go by. I no longer had cold fingers and toes and my skin brighter and hair looked shinier. My stomach took a lot longer to heal as I had a constant achy pain in it and this finally went away by a year and it was one of those nasty nicotine receptors that would not stop causing havoc. I had to stop drinking coffee for quite a while and use antacids a lot. I just want you to know that every last icky withdrawal symptom will go away after a year and then it's up to you to just never fall for the just one thinking ever again. Good luck with your quit and stay strong!

"Quitting isn't for Sissies!" I quit poisoning myself Sept. 27, 2013

Keep up the good work !!  12 days is awesome.

Keep taking it one day at a time, you can do this !

2 weeks today

Yeah Me!!!!

10/13/2019

Mark