I quit smoking, now I have nothing to look forward to. What do you non-smokers do all day? -
I quite smoking 3 weeks ago and I-ve realized the hardest part of not smoking is the ritual I have that revolves around my smoking.
Times WHen I SMoke:
WHen I wake up
After I eat
On the way to work
Smoke Breaks at work
on the way home for lunch
on the way back to work after lunch
when I-m bored at work
when i-m bored at home
When I talk on the phone
When I cut the grass
after i get back from running
whenever i-m irritated by life/family/wife/kids
My question is...the one thing that I always looked forward to was smoking...it was also the one thing that calmed me down when I was irritated, or added a spark when bored....
What do i do now? ANy Ideas?
YOU HAVE A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO. you just quit smoking, good for you. you have added on extra years to your life just because of that. they-re are tons of things to do. take up a new Hobie, take a day off work to just relax, spend some quality time with family and/or friends.
best of luck!
Oh honey!!! You can look forward to living longer,you`ll save money,health and life insurance is cheaper,you no longer smell like a dirty ashtray,and you can BREATHE!!!!!Its been over a year since I quit and I rejoice and thank God daily that Im free from that addiction.I understand what you are saying,ok? It takes time to adjust.I used to suck on cinnamon candy when I first quit.(Im talkin the hot kind!)It helps.Do crossword puzzles,read,draw,paint,etc.Keeping your hands busy helps.Good Luck
Exercise is a great filler with a positive result and after you finish you are less irritated. Tasting new foods that you couldn-t taste due to the nic will also make you feel great. Get some hard/sugar free candy to have in your mouth. People with oral needs (which is likely what you crave a little) do well sucking. I once knew someone who just kept a match in his mouth.
Isn-t it amazing at how time consuming smoking is???
I took up baking! Well, that and with all of that time more gets done, my interests are back and I can think clearly!
When I want a smoke I clean something instead!
Congratulations on making it 3 weeks! That is an accomplishment to be very proud of! Go get yourself something you-ve been wanting for a while. You deserve a treat for making it so long!
Here are some ideas for new habits that I found on a website called quit 4good.com.
Find new habits
Change your habits to make smoking difficult, impossible, or unnecessary. For example, it-s hard to smoke when you-re swimming, jogging, or playing tennis or handball. When your desire for a cigarette is intense, wash your hands or the dishes, or try new recipes.
Do things that require you to use your hands. Try crossword puzzles, needlework, gardening, or household chores. Go bike riding; take the dog for a walk; give yourself a manicure; write letters.
Enjoy having a clean-mouth taste and maintain it by brushing your teeth frequently and using mouthwash.
Enjoy the fact that you and/or your home will no-longer smell like smoke.
Stretch often.
Get plenty of rest.
Pay attention to your appearance. Look and feel sharp.
Try to find time for the activities that are the most meaningful, satisfying, and important to you.
When you get the crazies
Keep oral substitutes handy - try carrots, pickles, sunflower seeds, apples, celery, raisins, or sugarless gum instead of a cigarette.
Eat sunflower seeds - I have never seen any hard studies on this, but it is believed that sunflower seeds have a similar effect on the nervous system as nicotine. Supposedly, there is a chemical in the brain that triggers your body to act on its need for a cigarette. This enzyme or chemical is in some way relaxed by a substance in sunflower seeds. Many people used these seeds as an aid to help quit. If nothing else, it will help replace the oral craving associated with smoking while keeping your hands busy if you are getting a bit figity.
Take 10 deep breaths and hold the last one while lighting a match. Exhale slowly and blow out the match. Pretend it-s a cigarette and crush it out in an ashtray.
Take a shower or bath if possible.
Learn to relax quickly and deeply. Make yourself limp, visualize a soothing, pleasing situation, and get away from it all for a moment. Concentrate on that peaceful image and nothing else.
Light incense or a candle instead of a cigarette.
Never allow yourself to think that -one won-t hurt- - it will.
Don-t give up! You have made it past the worst part! You can do it!
You know I was having the same problem and I started smoking again. It-s a habit and you look forward to smoking at certain times. You just have to find a new habit.
It-s tough to do; I quit cold turkey. Best thing to do is keep very busy with your hands. Play guitar, do some cooking or artwork or crocheting or something like that. Resist the temptation to overeat.
Here-s how I have made it so far:
I have a -quit smoking meter- on my computer, I look at it every morning. This is what it tells me: Four months, two weeks, six days, 19 hours, 59 minutes and 11 seconds. 3943 cigarettes not smoked, saving $542.05. Life saved: 1 week, 6 days, 16 hours, 35 minutes
You can find one version here
http://www.quitmeter.com/
That gets me through the morning. On breaks, take the paper outside and read or suck on a tootsie pop or chew a piece of gum.
What you have to look forward to is quite wonderful. The smells and tastes are starting to come back now and it-s great. I smoked for 25 years and there are a lot of things I took for granted, like how great freshly cut grass smells just for one. You will notice this in the near future. Also take a look at your teeth. They will start getting whiter too, it will also make your gums healthier. As time goes on you will breathe better and sleep better too. There is a lot to look forward to if you really want to.
I quit smoking, now I have nothing to look forward to. What do you non-smokers do all day? -