I have recently quit smoking. I have smoked for over 15 years. I have wanted to quit for a long time. It's really hard and I have tried 2 other times...this I want to be my last try. I feel good about this and I think the more support I have the better. This is my fight against smoking and I can do this...I hate it and I will beat it! I have discovered a quit smoking website also that I find really helpful...quitnet.com helps me keep track of days since I quit and bunch of other stuff.
Here is the quit smoking Quit Guide I am following on my non-smoking journey that I got from Quitnet.com
Break The Habit
Your urge to smoke may be quite strong, but the good news is that just as you learned how to smoke, you can unlearn how to smoke as well. It takes a lot of practice. Small changes in your daily routines that are associated with cigarettes are the key to breaking the habit. Try at least one of the following strategies each day:
Change habits that you associate with smoking. If you typically smoke while talking on the phone, talk in a different room, hold the phone in the other hand, or sit in a different chair. If you usually smoke while sitting in your favorite chair, avoid that chair for a while.
Keep busy. Take up a hobby, go to the movies, go for a walk, work around the house, call or visit friends, write letters, read a book, use QuitNet… the possibilities are endless. One ex-smoker we know of built a beautiful deck on the back of his house while he was quitting smoking!
Keep your hands and mouth occupied. Try sugarless mints or gum, toothpicks, cinnamon sticks, carrot and celery sticks, crushed ice, or water. QuitNet members find that typing messages keeps their fingers busy and gets them support during a strong craving.
Leave the table. To break the connection between smoking and eating, leave the table as soon as you finish eating, brush your teeth, or take a walk after meals.
Change your work breaks. For most smokers, a cigarette and a break go together. You definitely need to change your break routine. Go to a different location that is smoke-free, take deep relaxing breaths, and try oral substitutes (e.g., gum, sugar free hard candy, etc.).
A few other important things to remember as you tackle your habit: cigarette cravings will pass with time. They are typically quite intense right after quitting, but over time, they will definitely fade. Also, it’s important to take just one day at a time. Rather than thinking about being a nonsmoker forever, think about being a nonsmoker just for today. Cigarettes have been an important part of your life for a while – a close companion of sorts. It may make it less scary to give up cigarettes if you focus on being a nonsmoker today rather than forever.
The Difference between Slips and Relapses
Now that your quit day has arrived, let’s talk for a minute about slips. This is a very important word that you need to understand. A slip is when you smoke one or two times after your quit date. It’s different than relapse, which is when you go back to smoking the way you have always smoked. It’s extremely common for people who have just quit to have slips and to feel really bad about them. The problem is that feeling bad often leads to another cigarette and can easily undo all your hard work. QuitNet members often work out their feelings about slips—and get the support they need to continue their quit—on the QuitStop Forum.
Abstinence Violation Effect
In fact, feelings of failure after slipping are so common that there is even a term for them: the Abstinence Violation Effect.[45] This term refers to very powerful feelings of guilt, frustration, and disappointment following a slip, and the attribution of the slip to some personal weakness. It usually sounds something like this: “Well, I guess I just blew it by smoking that one cigarette. I just can’t do it. Quitting it too tough and I just don’t have enough willpower. I might as well smoke the whole pack now.”
If you slip, remember…
A slip is an opportunity to think about what went wrong and how to prevent it the next time.
One cigarette does not make you a smoker again. One cigarette didn't make you a smoker in the first place, and one slip now doesn't mean you have to go back to smoking again.
Slips are learning opportunities, not excuses.
You have very important reasons for quitting and have come a long way already!
You don't have to smoke another cigarette just because you had one.
One cigarette is not an excuse to go back to smoking. After a few hours, you will feel much less guilty and disappointed and will be glad you didn’t smoke another cigarette.
Be Good to Yourself
Positive self-talk is an important element of taking good care of yourself today and in the weeks to come. What you say to yourself can have a strong impact on your success. Remind yourself of the important reasons you are quitting and tell yourself:
This is going to be tough, but I will take it one day at a time.
I’m going to focus on being a nonsmoker today.
I am in control of my life, and choose to be smoke-free.
I have stopped the one habit that contributes most to poor health. My heart, lungs, and overall health are improved.
The air at home and in the car is cleaner for my family and friends because I quit smoking.
The money I have saved by not smoking will be used for something fun and positive in my life.
I am setting a good example for my children by quitting smoking for good.
Call on Supportive People
Find a friend or a QuitNet buddy to be supportive on your Quit Date. Make plans to go for a walk, meet for dinner, or just to check in during the day. Another ex-smoker may be able to offer helpful insight in getting through today and the next few weeks. Your QuitNet friends can be especially helpful during this time. Ask the Q'ster experts how they are planning to quit and how they have quit successfully already!
What to Expect: Withdrawal and Recovery Symptoms
Understanding the changes your body goes through when you quit smoking is the first step towards dealing with them. The physical changes that come with nicotine withdrawal can cause increased tension and irritability, sadness or depression, a loss of energy, or temporary difficulties with concentration. Nicotine replacement medications (NRT) are very effective in alleviating many of these symptoms. Even if you don’t use NRT, remember that these effects are all short-lived and in just a few weeks your body will adjust to being a non-smoker.[46] It may be helpful to explain the possible effects of these physical changes to friends, family, and coworkers.
We can group these changes into two categories:
Withdrawal Symptoms:
These are due to your body's need for nicotine and your mind's need for cigarettes. They are natural and almost all smokers go through them. Common withdrawal symptoms include craving, difficulty concentrating, and fatigue.
Recovery Symptoms:
These are signs that your body is beginning to heal itself from the damaging effects of nicotine and tar. The overall feeling is often like having a cold. Symptoms generally last only a few days and may include headaches, dizziness, sore throat, coughing, and hunger. These are signs that your body is getting better!
Craving: Cravings are a normal part of quitting and are very common. They are your body's physical addiction calling out. Just keep in mind that this usually passes within a week.
Difficulty Concentrating: Many people use nicotine to help focus their attention. You’ve probably heard of chain-smoking writers or tobacco-chewing baseball players. After a while, tobacco becomes a crutch, a way to help handle many of life’s everyday tasks. It may take a couple of weeks for you to become accustomed to working without nicotine. Additionally, the increased blood flow and oxygen to your brain can lead to a feeling of mental fogginess. Some people report feeling that sounds are louder, lights are brighter, or that their senses are more intense after they quit. Nicotine actually seems to affect people's concentration by decreasing peripheral vision and hearing. If it seems like the baby is crying louder, or that people in the office are noisier, it's probably just that you notice things more without the numbing effect of nicotine.
Fatigue: Nicotine increases your metabolism to an abnormally high rate. When you stop smoking, your metabolism drops back to normal and you may find that your energy level drops. You may also feel fatigued because your body is missing the stimulant (nicotine) that it had become accustomed to. This will go away… it just takes time.
Headaches, dizziness, tingling in the hands and feet: When you quit, blood vessels all over your body open back up. Increased blood flow to the cerebellum can cause headaches; increased blood flow to the fingers and toes can give a feeling of tingling (like after your leg falls asleep). Dizziness can result from both lower blood pressure and an increase in oxygen to nerves and tissue as carbon monoxide is eliminated from your blood system.
Sore throat, coughing: Many people cough more than usual when they first quit smoking. Although this might be uncomfortable, remember it’s a sign that your body is healing! There are tiny hair-like structures in your lungs called cilia that are designed to keep your lungs clean. Tobacco smoke paralyzes the cilia, allowing the lungs to become dirty and coated with mucous. Many people have a morning cough because the cilia “come back to life” after not smoking all night and try to work overtime to clear the lungs out. In the same way, when some people quit, they will cough as their lungs begin to clean themselves out. A sore throat may result from development of new, healthy tissue and the clearing of tar and nicotine from old tissue.
Hunger: To pay for all of this recovery your body needs energy and materials to rebuild. The body relies mostly on glucose, or sugar, for energy so you may feel a craving for snacks, especially sweets. Sticking to fruits and fruit juices not only is better for energy but will help you avoid weight gain.
Stress Management
Developing new ways to relax and cope with stress is critical to quitting for good. Smokers often say that cigarettes help them deal with stress and that having too much stress makes it hard to quit. Stress is one of the most common reasons many smokers go back to smoking. This section covers different strategies for coping with stress to stay smoke-free.
Take a Breather
Many people smoke when they feel sad, angry, frustrated, nervous, or stressed. While smoking a cigarette doesn’t change these feelings, it allows you to take a break from the upsetting or stressful situation. You also take a deep breath when you inhale smoke. Taking a break and breathing deeply are two of the best ways to cope with stress.
Much of the relaxation you get from smoking a cigarette is actually due to pausing and taking several slow deep breaths. Try taking several slow deep breaths throughout the day… without a cigarette of course. Just let yourself sit for a few moments and try to focus only on your breathing. Slowly INHALE through your nose; HOLD for a second or two, and, as you EXHALE say the word "relax" to yourself.
Try “taking a breather” using the 10 steps below.[47] Remember that you can do this exercise any time you like. Five minutes each morning and night is a very good beginning, but relaxing for as little as one minute is preferable to not relaxing at all (and a 'quickie' is often crucial when in crisis). Do what you CAN do, and increase that when you can.
Choose a time of day when you're comfortable turning off the telephone, cell phone, TV, radio, etc. Eventually, you'll want to perform this exercise several times throughout the day, but for now, just develop the habit of doing it daily.
Choose a time of day when you are least likely to be disturbed by others and you won’t be worried about having to get somewhere right after your practice session.
Set aside at least 5 minutes. You may want to set a timer or clock radio to keep track of the time.
Choose a chair that allows you to sit comfortably upright. Slouching actually increases tension in some parts of the body, and lying down may cause you to drift into sleep. Some people prefer to sit cross-legged on the floor; be sure that you're not in any physical discomfort if you do so.
Develop a passive, “let it happen” attitude while practicing. Don’t worry about how well you are performing or about distracting thoughts. If you become distracted, simply notice what is occurring, put the distracting thoughts “on the shelf” and continue.
Sit quietly erect with your hands in your lap. Your eyes may be opened or closed (whichever is more comfortable). Just let yourself sit for a few moments and try to focus only on your breathing.
Slowly INHALE through your nose; HOLD for a second or two, and, as you EXHALE say the word "relax" to yourself.
Try to focus on each part of your body, from top to bottom or randomly, as you tell yourself to relax. You may actually FEEL your muscles letting go.
When your time is up, sit for another minute and check out how your body feels. The more you're aware of the benefits of relaxing, the more motivation you'll have to continue doing it.
Use daily events as reminders to take breathers. For example, take a breather when you hang up the phone, during TV commercials, when you feel annoyed, and whenever you feel you need a relaxing break. Also, take a breather whenever you have an urge for a cigarette. The slow deep breaths will leave you more relaxed and in control.
Add Physical Activity
Exercise is a great way to manage stress. Doing something active will help to take your mind off the stressful situation. Physically, getting some exercise will help burn off the chemicals that your body releases when you are stressed so that you feel less tense and fatigued. You’ll feel less like smoking while you are exercising and afterwards.
Stretch
Sit in a chair with your upper body resting forward on your lap. Slowly roll up, starting at the base of your spine, until your back is straight. Stretch neck muscles by tilting your head to the right and slowly rolling your head down to the left. Repeat a few times in both directions.
Use Your Support Network
What we know from all of our QuitNet members is that getting support from others is a key element throughout the quitting process and beyond. This is consistent with about 30 years of research which shows that smokers have a much better chance of quitting if they have help from others.[48],[49] Don’t try to go it alone. Use the people in your existing support network, or take advantage of other QuitNet members waiting to hear from you. Talking with others helps to reduce stress, improve mood, and boost confidence that you can make it through the tough times.
Catch Your Thoughts
Have you ever been stuck in an airport or a traffic jam and felt totally frustrated and angry? But someone near you seems completely relaxed and calm? How is it that the exact same situation can produce two very different reactions? This is a very simple example of the importance of thoughts.
Consider the picture below:
Your thoughts might be “catastrophizing” thoughts that sound like “This is terrible; I am so stupid for leaving late; the whole day is ruined; why do all these stupid people have to be in my way.” Not surprisingly, you end up feeling tense, angry, and frustrated. Your shoulder and neck feel tight, your teeth are clenched, and your face is hot. Emotionally and physically, you are stressed.
Someone else might be thinking “Well, this isn’t the greatest situation, but I have something to read with me, so I’ll use the time; now that I know this route is slow, I’ll take a different route next time; I’ll call the babysitter and make different arrangements since I’ll be late.” They might feel a little edgy, but overall are relaxed and at ease.
“Catastrophizing” thoughts are one kind of negative thoughts. Negative thoughts often are based on assumptions or past experience rather than the actual current situation. “This is impossible.” “Nothing ever goes my way.” “Why bother… I won’t be able to do it anyway.” They are like magnets and often attract other negative thoughts. Before you know it, you start thinking about all the things in your life that haven’t gone your way. This leads to a negative chain reaction and you feel even more angry or depressed. Negative thoughts usually lead to a bad mood and can create a vicious cycle of more negative thoughts, behaviors, and moods.[50]
If you tend to have negative thoughts that lead to bad moods, try to change your thinking and see what happens. Here are some questions to ask yourself that may help you to challenge the thoughts or beliefs that lead to bad moods:
Is what I’m thinking really true, or does it just feel that way?
What are some other ways of looking at this situation?
What would I say to a friend in the same situation?
You can’t change situations that have already happened. And you may not be able to control things that happen in the future. But, you can control your reaction to them. Arguing against your own negative thoughts can help you find more helpful and positive thoughts and feel less stressed or upset.
Give yourself credit for things you get done, even if they are small tasks.
Think of a future time when things will be different. Remind yourself of other stressful times that you have had in the past, and how you got through them. Know that you will get through this tough time, too.
Write down positive thoughts on index cards. “I can do this.” “I’ve spent lots of time preparing and I can handle each situation as it happens.” “It may not be easy, but I will take it one day at a time.” You now have a deck of positive thought cards. Carry the deck with you, and pull out different cards throughout the day. Each time you pull out a card, read it and think about it. Keep a few blank cards in the deck so that you can add to your positive thoughts as new ones come to you.
Repeat as necessary: “Don’t worry… it might not happen.”
Get Enough Sleep
Being sleep deprived leaves people feeling sluggish and fatigued, or irritable and tense… all common triggers for smoking. Make sure you get enough sleep, especially right around your quit date. If you have trouble sleeping, be sure you are not drinking something with caffeine within 6 hours of going to sleep. Also, try to avoid naps as much as possible. Your sleep should improve within a few weeks after quitting. As a nonsmoker, you may require less sleep than you did as a smoker. As your body clears itself of nicotine and other harmful chemicals, you may find you have more energy and stamina.
Try Self Massage
Sit with your shoulders relaxed. Use your right hand to massage your left shoulder and neck, working your way up to the scalp. Repeat using the left hand for the right shoulder. It’s definitely not as good as someone else doing it, but you’d be surprised how much it might help.
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LadyLisa
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9/5/2008
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