stopping smoking tomorrow

Hi Jamiee, I don't smoke and I've never been a smoker so I can't help much with that except to say congratulations on making a great choice for your health..my son is a heavy smoker and he is giving up with help from the quit line too I'm from Australia too...

Anxiety i have....lol...ok......Maybe when you start getting anxious about having a cigarette you can distract yourself by doing something else, go outside, go for a walk, do some relaxation or meditation if you enjoy those things.....I find sipping iced water helps me when I feel nauseated, and remember each day you stay off the smokes is an achievement and each day should get easier..

Good luck with giving up hope you do well....shannon

Where you from jamiee, I think we are the only ones awake at the moment everyone else will be on soon though...

Go for it Jaimee...

You know what, it's always rich coming from an ex smoker! But you know what, it really isn't THAT hard to stop. I smoked about 25 - 30 a day for 14 years. Yes I know there are many that were heavier!
It's not THAT easy either - but I do believe we imagine it is harder than it actually is. I also think that "the people" want us to believe that it is sohard, so that we don;t even try in the end and carry on smoking.

Seriously. The only way to do it, is just stop. That day decide I will not smoke another cigarette - full stop. And don't.

One thing I've learnt about life, and especially anxiety - it passes. Everything passes. And so too will the cravings. They also only last a few minutes whilst we are battling with the thought - but then it passes. Remember that. And soon you've ticked away the hours. Then the days, then the weeks - Now, I am two and a half years down the road an it was the best thing I could do for myself.

I don't know if it's improved my anxiety, or that the positive approach I'd decided on taking through life helped, chicken or egg??? - but things have gotten a lot better for me. I'm really progressing. Honest.

I was so bad at a stage a few years ago, that I almost became a full on hermit. I became so agoraphobic that I almost lost my job and all my friends.

You know, things pass, that's all I can say.

You acknowledge them. Accept them, and ALLOW them their way, and soon they'll be on their way.

So I don't know if you'll like what I have to say - but Seriously, just believe it is not as hard as we think it's going to be! Know it, and just let it pass. Each time you crave, know that it will pass. And then you'll know that it's only a couple of days more. They too shall pass.

I actually started thinking I will smoke till the day I die - or that it kills me. I really did acept it. I also used my anxiety as an excuse for not stopping. Till one day, I DECIDED! You have to decide you're going to do it. And then just do it.

That said, I wish you the best of luck dude. I know it's a daunting task to set out to achieve. I wish you knew me, cause of you did you would know that if I could do it - you could do it!

Here's wishing you through it!
Cheers MATE (lol)
Darryl

Post Edited (Darryl) : 8/30/2011 9:48:35 AM (GMT-6)

Congrats on quitting!! I quit cold turkey May 23, 2009 and it was the best thing I've ever done for myself. It's sooo much better being a non-smoker!!

What helped me:
- Info. and Joel's quit videos on www.whyquit.com
- Going for walks when I would normally smoke (after meals, especially)
- Doing other exercise. I joined a gym shortly after I quit.
- Drinking lots of water and eating healthy.
- Write down a list of your top reasons for quitting and refer to it often, especially when you're having a craving.
- Take things one day (or hour, or minute) at a time. All you ever have to do is not smoke for just one day. Do NOT think about it in terms of the rest of your life.
- Reward yourself. Plan rewards for 1 week, 3 weeks, 1 month, etc. smoke-free.
- It helps to have someone you can call or email when you're having a craving.

I used the American Lung Association's Freedom From Smoking program when I quit and it helped me tremendously because there was a message board where people posted frequently. There was always someone there to talk to you while you waited out your crave.

Hi jamiee I hear ya, and Sara14 I agree, I smoked for years and then gave up for about 20 years, 3 years before i got ill I started again, mainly due to stress of a marriage break up, then I gave up again, it was hard but I did it, a month later I was in hospital, I was so glad I had given up as the surgery was not a dangerous for me when I got home I was having radiation and my whole family (older children and husband ) smoke, with the stress and availability, I started again, I know stupid me I know, I have been trying to stop now but I am having problems with massive anxiety attacks, so I got some nicorette tablets, but they say don't have them if you have had cancer or epilepsy, I have kept my smoking down to about 4 a day but for me it is still 4 to many, I can cope with the cravings which are not that bad, it does not seem to be the nicotine am addicted to but have an emotional addiction and I really really really don't want to smoke, I have asked my husband not to bring tobacco home, because I WILL NOT BUY IT and HAVE NOT BOUGHT TOBACCO , but he keeps bringing it home and smoking and smells of it, every time I try to stop I can see the packet and smell it every where, I don't know what to do, I have asked for support and asked him not to smoke in the house and wash his teeth or have a mint, he agrees but does not do it, how can I break this cycle of anxiety - smoking - anxiety -smoking, without support ? I feel like i want to go to rehab or something, it is easy for people to say just don't smoke, but what do you do when you can't ? there is no programs like alcohol or drug addiction, why not ? I am a strong lady caught in a vicious cycle, I feel like I am alone in this struggle, I have even told him I will leave and he say's leave then, he will not stop smoking and I don't feel like I can be around people who smoke, any ideas ? please don't say "just stop" it is not that easy ! there should be more help than that, there must be a way !