Depression and quitting smoking

One thing a good doctor once told me was to be mindful when you smoke (as I do smoke).  When you have a cigarette, just sit down and have that cigarette.  Don't do anything else.  Eventually you will be putting them out because we do so much other things when we smoke, that we aren't mindful about it.  It is hard to just sit down and smoke.  Another thing that helps is to tell yourself, I am working on getting healthy.  Instead of I am trying to quit smoking.  This takes the stress out of it.

I took Chantix and was so close to quitting.  I wasn't trying hard enough to stop.  Chantix gives you a feeling of not needing the cigarettes, or anything for that matter.  It plays with the mind and it is a good method.  Just didn't work for me.  I think if I tried harder, I could have quit. 

When I did quit once for four years.  I did it cold turkey.  I did as was posted above.  I took the money that I would usually spend on cigarettes, and got myself something nice.  My first husband died of lung cancer and you think that alone would stop me, but it is such a terrible habit that I smoked more when he was sick.  My nerves couldn't take it. 

But when I did quit.  I would put my cigarettes in another room.  That way I had to go all the way there to get one.  I would make myself wait three urges before I would allow myself to have one.  This really helped on cutting down.  The trick is to be mindful of what you are doing.  eventually you will quit.  It is hard, especially if you like to smoke like I do.  It is a dirty habit though.  And when you are mindful about it, you realize that.

Best of luck to you.  Just don't quit quiting.

Hugs, Karen

I quit smoking last Oct, after I had a TIA ( small stroke ).  Had to do it. I went cold turkey and it was ok at the time because I wasnt feeling too good after the stroke, luckily I had no serious effects from the stroke.  After a couple of months however when I started feeling well again, I found it hard and craved the smokes.  I found myself snappy and moody and I just really wanted a cig!..especially when I saw other people smoking.

However as time went on, it got easier but I still had moments when I felt like one.  I was quite proud though that I had finally quit.  However just recently ( in the last week ) I lost someone so close to me, the pain was incredible, I couldnt cope...and I sunk into deep depression, and 2 days ago I went out and bought me a pack of cigs, and I am smoking again....

Keep trying to quit, you will get there..and so will I.

Good luck..

Post Edited (Sashaxx) : 7/13/2010 12:28:42 AM (GMT-6)