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In the Beginning

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1140

I actually quit smoking during very stress filled few weeks at work. Something I noticed was that, once the nicotine was out of my system, the stressors weren't as stressful anymore. I guess that not jonesing for a cigarette reduced the overall stress level.

I think my biggie was alcohol. A lot of my smoking habit started was when I was drinking when I was younger. Those who watched my slow, tedious process of quitting know that the cigarette with alcohol was the last one to go. In fact, I wasn't sure if I could let it go for a while. Once my metabolism settled down after withdrawal, I decided to just try drinking without smoking--kind of like a practice run. The first time I drank alcohol after quitting, I asked myself why I chose to put myself through such torture. But I didn't smoke. The last few times, it hasn't been a big deal. I do think about it more when alcohol is involved, but it's not so intense or frequent anymore.

I also have made a point of going outside where I used to smoke when I want to smoke. I know that seems like it would be a trigger, but it's actually soothing for me. One of the things that reinforced my smoking behavior was simply having the chance to take an outside break for a few minutes. I had some nice spots set up and staked out, too. (My porch at home is one of my favorites.) So I figured why not just take the break and skip the smoke?

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12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11226

Great thread Sticking to it!

Thanks for posting!

Members, please share!

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1985

You'll will find dozens of smoking triggers that you will calm, tame, and ultimately forget. And need to prepare yourself for these with a personalized, custom made list of distractions, a toolbox filled with them. Changing your schedules and patterns, e.g.working earlier or later, drinking ice water rather than coffee will disrup the normal pattern of triggers. You’ll be able to side step many and have to kick others in the ash. It is about change, changing routines andhabits.

Buy time initially, grow in confidence and come to grips, that there can never be one. With this, this is the recipe for success. Each night before going to bed, thank and praise yourself for not smoking.

So to help others, what trigger tamers do you have to share?

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In the Beginning