Sounds like you are not alone in your thinking pattern. Meditation is a way to clear your mind- it takes practice but might be helpful. With time and practice, your thoughts will go to other things. You are still choosing not to smoke- that is an active behavior for which you can be proud of yourself! Positive thoughts about your quit process, as well as the rewards of not smoking, are ones that might be useful and motivating.
How about looking at the cravings from another angle, like an experiment? When do you get the cravings most commonly, how long do they last (this one is especially empowering when you are able to put them in perspective), how do you feel when you are able to resist them?
Congrats on making it through hell week You are doing great. The first couple weeks of my quit all I thought about was smoking (I even dreamt of smoking). It drove me absolutely crazy I ran almost every day (and still run every day). During those 25-40 minutes, I would try to focus on something else: the scenery, the new smells, the weather, the pain in my muscles, my breathing, etc. Exercise helped me to shift the focus away from smoking thoughts even if it was only for a short period of time.
It does get better. I still think about it but it doesn't occupy all my thoughts. But, to be honest, I thought about smoking even when I was smoking. I would be agonizing over my next smoke break, planning how I could get away for a smoke at social functions, how I couldn't wait to get out of the airport for a smoke, making sure I had enough smokes to last me through a certain event, etc, etc. So, I am just glad to be thinking about "the quit process" rather than "my next smoke"
I have a hard time not thinking about this whole quit process and in thinking about it, it reminds me of cigarettes and then I get cravings. How do I stop thinking about it ALL THE TIME? This happened to me before when I quit for 7 weeks. How do I stop thinking???????
Today was a little harder than I thought it would be. But, I am still a non-smoker. I am having doubts and second thoughts but I am so glad I did not smoke today. Are you sure it gets easier?
Hi Jane, how are you doing today? Just wanted to check in with you. Glad to hear that you worked through the program and thanks for letting me know about the whyquit site. Make a reward list for yourself if you haven't already. Have a great smoke free day! Natalie
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