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11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 87

Free rewards for me include long walks with my old walkman, checking out new recipes like Kale Chips. (Kale is a major health food.) I take my Ipad when I go out and look for free apps, watch youtube and listen to music. Calling old friends to let them know that I am smoke free which always makes them happy as I am. I deal with urges by riding buses with a book in tow; that always works. I talk with quit coaches on the phone a lot. Instead of rich food and meat I choose lots of fruit and vegetables. For nervousness I take magnesium. I get books from the library~doesn't cost a cent and I love to read. Laugh a lot. Avoid negativity as much as possible; stay light and positively bright. Exercise on the floor; I find that fun and good for a giggle. I visit with my neighbours; nobody smokes in this building,-who wants to be odd man/girl out~~not I. And have fun in a bubble bath. "The best things in life are free!!!

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2778

Hey DSB!!!

I have been reading your posts today, as I finally found a few free moments to log in. Huge congrats to you on your success so far! AWESOME!!! You are really doing great so far!

I am a HUGE believer in rewards! I still to this very day try to reward myself for maintaining my quit for another day! Mine doesn't cost much and it is something that I would probably still do daily even if I continued to smoke. Here's what I decided on for a reward program. I'm a man who thoroughly enjoys a beer! I have been home brewing for a long time and have found the style that I really love. For me to do without for any length of time would have been detrimental to my mental health, so from the very first day, I decided that as a reward for not smoking I would reward myself with a fine beer! I committed myself to my reward program and have been smoke free ever since.

So, daily I am rewarded with something I love and doesn't cost much. There are many things out there that are free or low cost that you can do or obtain to utilize as a reward. Please read the part in the Program about rewards and the positive effects on our mental well-being! I'm going to look through the posts now to bump forward a post entitled Low Cost or No Cost Rewards to make it easier for you to find. It's a good one and should give you some ideas for rewards for yourself!

Also, go through the rest of the Program and look for other coping mechanisms. The Program and different threads here on the Forums contain a wealth of information that may help you get through the early part of your quit!

Stick close and read and learn!

Jim

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11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 792

I thought it might be a good time to print this again:

A bit of advice from a well known and highly respected smoking cessation educator :

These are the options: Smoke nothing or smoke everything. But let's make something else perfectly clear.

There is no in-between choice. Smoking is now and always will be an all or nothing proposition. Don't delude yourself into thinking you can have just one cigarette or just one puff. You can have a puff anytime you want, you just have to be willing to take the other 20, 40, 60 or more cigarettes a day that goes with that puff! You must also be willing to accept all the consequences which accompany being a smoker!

- See more at: http://www.stopsmokingcenter.net/program/Blog.aspx#sthash.EPoRlUao.dpuf

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 3307

I understand where you are coming from. From the beginning of trying to quit over the years it was always suggested to reward myself. I just couldn't quite get myself to do that, cost, and it seemed silly. Although my situation has changed and I now can afford some nice rewards, my biggest one is knowing I am a NON-SMOKER.

What is it you like to do? Maybe go to the library and check out book you would like to read. Go for a nature walk with a friend. Have a friend over for a cup of coffee. A movie was suggested. Try and save a couple dollars a week for the big milestones and get yourself something special. Just remember not smoking is the gift you can give yourself.

Keep the Quit

Sparky

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 115

DSB8551 I too spent many years smoking when I could barely pay my bills and feed the family, the stress was intense as was the guilt of wasting money on cigarettes. Whilst I no longer have the same financial problems totally free rewards in stopping smoking are knowing that I have at last stopped wasting money, further damaging my health, I believe I do understand the pressure you feel as I can remember the panic of trying to make cigs last when there was no more money available. Believe me I have found it has been less stressful to stop than it was to continue smoking! I think that is a mega reward in itself and it increases day by day as you watch your stats increase. The anxiety just melts away once you start on your quest to become a non smoker. It's not easy, but its so worth the effort. Good luck Viv

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11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2508

Hi dsb..Welcome..

Rewards can be just about anything.. How about treating yourself to a ocassional magazine bought with the money you saved from quitting. A walk in the morning with your increased lung capaticy..The smell of your freshly washed hair..A nice long relaxing bath or shower is always a great one. Watching a favorite movie.

Just about anything that makes you feel pampered always works for me..Just some little thing that makes you feel good, just for you!

Red...

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1140

Hi,

Rewards can be low cost and/or free. Setting aside some time for yourself to do what you want is a good reward. A trip to the library, the park, or some local place that is positive and peaceful for you can be a reward. Although I have indulged in various costly rewards along the way, one of my bigger rewards (to me) was being able to share a piece of writing when I hit the one year mark.

Another thing to consider is the amount of money you are saving. you can use the saved money for rewards. Some people even put the amount they would have spent on cigarettes in a jar each day or week. ...If you are feeling really tight on budget, that money could be used to pay down a bill or put in a savings account. That, too, can be very rewarding.

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11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1853

Hi dsb8551,

You make a good point about how we talk about and think about rewards - the majority of us connect rewards with spending money. How can you reward yourself for achieving your smoke-free goals and milestones without adding the financial stressors?

You could take time out of your day for yourself, to do activities that bring you joy or use the money you save from being-smoke free and use it to pay off some bills?

Members,

Feel free to share your ideas on thoughtful ways to reward yourselves.

Vincenza, Health Educator

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11

I realize a lot of people on here are trying to be supportive but I almost feel MORE anxiety when I read about other people's struggles. And everyone talks about 'rewards'- well a huge part of my anxiety/stress comes from struggling to make enough money to pay bills, so rewarding myself by spending money only seems to cause more stress/anxiety... Can anyone relate to this? I don't believe a reward system works for me, and if anyone is dealing with the same kind of stress/anxiety, do you have any tips?

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