[b]Pop Quiz:[/b]
If you cut your hand would you
A. Bandage it and try to protect it until it heals?
OR
B. Ignore that you are wounded and go clean your toilet without wearing gloves?
The reason N.O.P.E. is so important is because you generally can�t [I]just have one[/I]. It�s not so much because ONE means you will become a full-time smoker again (although that is exactly what happens the majority of the time.) It�s because your brain has been healing for four months (or more) Lily and it has been trying to �re-wire� itself [u]without nicotine.[/u] That ONE contains nicotine and it goes straight to your brain. BAM!
You are confusing your brain and making it harder for it to heal. STOP IT! *we can pretend that was me yelling* ;)
"Option B" above is honestly no less foolish than thinking �smoking will help you deal with stress.� Science tells us that is NOT true.
These things will help you deal with stress.
� Become aware of your own reactions to stress.
� Reinforce positive self-statements.
� Focus on your good qualities and accomplishments.
� Recognize and accept your limits. Remember that everyone is unique and different.
� Exercise regularly.
� Talk with friends, a support group or someone you can trust about your worries/problems.
� Set priorities.
� Take frequent short breaks.
AND Practice relaxation techniques. (For example, whenever you feel tense, slowly breathe in and out for several minutes.)
Don�t create more stress for yourself by making a conscious decision to go buy a pack. I know it�s not easy to resist but you need to understand that by doing that you�ve put yourself back into hell week Lily. So now you need to begin doing what you began doing in October 2005. You also need to read Shevie's post "Rewards, Nicotine and the brain" It will help you. Take care. :)
[color=blue]~[font=Arial]all the best[/font][/color]
[img]http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/6922/n3us.gif[/img][size=3][color=blue]2[/color][/size][img]http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/2344/k6ob.gif[/img]
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/20/2005
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 199
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,395
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $995
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 18 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 2 [B]Seconds:[/B] 4
