EvolutionHealth.care

Home
Members List
Member View
Posts created by lemontwist

Advanced Search Form

Members List
Moderation Team
Member View
Posts created by lemontwist

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 96

Winter blues

For some reason my eyes glossed over the "work from home part" so I'm not sure how useful any of my below suggestions are. :) I've never worked from home for more than a week or so at a time, but I personally find it helpful to get up at the same time with my alarm clock and go to bed on a regular schedule, shower and dress when I'm working from home just as I would if I went in to work. It makes me less likely to feel like it's a weekend. Not sure how useful that is for you if you work from home every day. Maybe schedule a couple of hours you can work from a coffee shop, just to get out of your house for a little while? I find it very helpful just to get up and walk around, going outside helps me even more, just to get my mind out of any kind of funk.

My therapist (btw, if you can afford it, therapy is worth its weight in gold) also suggested that I think about things I can do to reward myself more often, not just for not smoking, but for accomplishing goals, etc. And not necessarily rewards that cost money. I thought this list was useful: http://zenhabits.net/reward-yourself-without-spending-lot/

It is really hard though with the minimal daylight hours. I feel like I drive to work before the sun rises and it's setting while I'm driving home again. I have friends who swear by full-spectrum lamps, but I've never used one so I can't put in my two cents. Mentally though, I always remind myself that December 21st is the worst as far as daylight hours, and after that it's only getting better.

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 96

Craves and Triggers

I think this finally clicked for me this past Monday. I had my first trigger without a crave, and I just sort of experienced it, thought "huh, that's kinda weird," and kept on doing what I was doing.

At this point I have gotten past most of my triggers because I've gone 50+ days without smoking, all of my daily routine stuff I can do without thinking about smoking anymore, so mostly I just have the occasional mental craves to get through. But on Monday I went to see a friend I hadn't seen in 4 months, since before I quit, and it was such a bizarre feeling to have, like "I feel like something's missing, maybe a cigarette? hmmm..." And it felt so great to not actually want one!

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 96

I CANNOT Date a Smoker!

Shannon, you gotta do what you gotta do. Sounds like dating a smoker is a great way for the junkie in your brain to rationalize smoking. At this point in my quit I feel exactly the same as you. Focus on yourself, remind yourself who and what you're quitting for, and hopefully everything else will fall into place. :)

I think you're doing great analyzing what is and what isn't working for you, though. Being honest is really important and extremely helpful, although painful at times. Keep up the good work!!

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 96

Winter blues

I'm sorry to hear you're going through a lot all at once. :( It can be hard to determine how much of what we feel is situational, seasonal, normal, abnormal, etc. I think sometimes just talking about it helps and knowing that you're not alone (you're not!!). It's also really stressful not to have control in certain situations (like with work, car troubles, etc), especially when they come out of the blue.

It's great that you're taking a real lunch break, sometimes I find it enormously helpful just to step away from what I'm doing and clear my head. Maybe do something special once a week to look forward to, and it doesn't even have to be going out. Maybe plan to make a special dinner with your husband with music and candles once a week, or have a movie night. You have your yoga class to look forward to, and remind yourself that as obnoxious it is to have to go once a week, I'm going to assume you always feel better when you do. :) I take a class every Tuesday night and while in the winter I hate having to go I'm always glad I go. It helps that I pay for it, so I feel an extra layer of obligation to show up.

But ultimately, you have to cope with stress somehow, and if it helps to camp out in your home for a few days or weeks, and you're not feeling miserable, and you're not smoking... then it can't be all that bad!

And keep in mind... it could be worse. It was -5℉ when I left for work this morning here in Chicagoland, with the high of the day in the balmy, sunny 20s. I'm soooooo glad I'm not having to go out there and smoke 20 times a day.

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 96

21 hours since my last smoke

Best wishes in your recovery J. I had surgery on my ankle a few months ago so I can understand what you're going through. It took me several days to feel "normal" again. Of course I also wasn't quitting at the same time, that came later! Just take things day by day, and the quit will get easier!!

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 96

Help!!

Don't think about never smoking ever again. Think about not smoking today. If that's too much, focus on not smoking for the next hour. Forever is way too long, but today or this hour is more manageable.

Hang in there! I'm almost at 2 months and I still have a hard time with "never again", so I focus on "not today, not this week."

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 96

Struggling

Elaine, I highly recommend counseling if it is available and affordable for you. It helps so much. Smoking may provide a quick chemical fix but can't help solve any problems. Depression is very difficult to deal with and therapy is super helpful. You're doing great with your quit and I wish you luck overcoming your depression.

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 96

Two Months: Thanks!

Today is my 2 month anniversary. This is officially the longest I've gone without smoking since I started. I'm feeling more confident every day, although to say that this is a cakewalk at this point would be a big oversimplification. :-)

I just wanted to thank everyone here who has helped me out. It really means a lot to me, and your help is extremely valuable because you've all been where I am and you always seem to know what I'm going through. I don't think I could have made it this far without your help!

Going to treat myself with a nice run outdoors (in the balmy 0℃ weather and snow) and maybe dinner out. :-D

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 96

Help!!

Way to go Jess!! You're doing great!!

Just think about how much more stressful a 12,5 hour shift at work would be if you had to spend large chunks of time wondering when you can get in your next cigarette break. It might still be a big rough right now, but hang in there and you'll realize what a relief it is not to be smoking anymore.

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 96

Quit 8 days ago

Way to go! Hang in there and keep taking things one day at a time. I have no experience with Champix, but I can tell you the first week is rough, and you survived. Be proud of yourself! :-D

today's top discussions:

This Month’s Leaders:

Most Supportive

Most Active

Most Loved