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Coping mechanisms

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 19

I've smoked outside for years, so at least I don't have to cope with the bad smell indoors or on clothes, and my boyfriend also smokes outside, so that's not an issue. However, I still go outside just like I did before, stand out there a few minutes, talk to the other half if he's having a smoke, or just take a few deep breaths. I'm not changing that routine just because I don't smoke anymore. A bit of fresh air during a commercial break on TV won't do me any harm after all. :) But chewing gum is my new vice. Gotta really stop that lol.

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 175

I pick up my guitar. It's funny but when I was a smoker, I used to take smoke breaks which cut down on my practice time. If I don't think about smoking, I can practice until my fingers bleed! All of your coping techniques sound good for home, but what about work? There's not mant folks who can practice their hobbies in the office...what does everyone do at work? 2tone

Quit Meter

$361,761.75

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 9599 Hours: 4

Minutes: 22 Seconds: 28

Life Gained
Quit Meter

45938

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

689,070

Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11

How about this? Smell the dirty ashtray. Now that's disgusting. shelle [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/24/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] -3 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 0 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $0 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 0

Quit Meter

$32,615.63

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 424 Hours: 13

Minutes: 11 Seconds: 15

Life Gained
Quit Meter

3479

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

52,185

Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 983

When all else fails, and you run out of coping mechanisms or they aren't with you right at that moment.....IGNORE the crave. Think about something else, talk yourself through it. Recognize those voices trying to talk you out of your quit and talk back to them (outloud if you have to). If you are feeling the crave physically, remember, it will pass and fight hard. Sometimes I don't always have my hot tea in my back pocket or I'm out of hard candies and gum. Kaiti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 11/7/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 43 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 957 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $236.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 1 [B]Seconds:[/B] 1

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 406

Great Thread, cuz I'm always looking for help! For me, it's all about breathing really deep, which is a joke for smokers. I breathe and remember why I never want to inhale that crap again. peteg [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/30/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 50 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,548 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $275 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 8 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 8 [B]Seconds:[/B] 13

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 154

Im just wondering, for the sake of new quitters, what are YOUR coping mechanisms? What can I do when I have a nasty crave to get through that 5 minutes? What is that crave going to feel like? Sometimes it seems as if nothing works, though I have tried quite a few things. Eating candy will only get you so far, where do I go from there? I have a few to start the list: -Hot, strong, herbal tea -Fiery sugar free cinnamon gum -Looking at the money I've saved in my quit meter and figuring out what Im going to buy -Smelling my hair and clothes- they actually smell fabulous -Smile at myself in the mirror, I didn't know teeth could get that white!! -Go excersize vigorously, by the time Im done, Im too tired to crave!! Any others? [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/9/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 71 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 573 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $251.34 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 15 [B]Mins:[/B] 40 [B]Seconds:[/B] 21

Quit Meter

$551,256.00

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 4359 Hours: 22

Minutes: 10 Seconds: 2

Life Gained
Quit Meter

45938

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

689,070

Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 154

Someone once told me that pinching your earlobe stops cravings. It works for food, not sure about smoking though!! Brush your teeth when you feel a craving coming on. By the time you are finished your craving will have subsided and your teeth will be pearly white!! Buy glade plug ins- for you house, your car, everyone will comment on how GOOD your home smells, not like nasty cigarettes. Light an aroma therapy candle and breathe slowly and deeply the scent, You should feel totally relaxed after- not needing that cigarette. Post here, at the SSC and 'delay' having that smoke till someone responds to your post Remember NOPE, it'll help in many situations!! c'mon guys, what REALLY WORKED for you?? [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/9/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 74 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 596 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $261.96 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 11 [B]Seconds:[/B] 7

Quit Meter

$551,256.00

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 4359 Hours: 22

Minutes: 10 Seconds: 2

Life Gained
Quit Meter

45938

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

689,070

Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 738

Hi 2s2s, I find that hot tea, especially an apple cinnamon spice I found is wonderful, and sugar free bubble gum, and distracting myself with a video game (hand held, puzzle or word game type, to engage my mind), sipping a caffeine free diet soda, crunching on ice, and coming here, of course. Oh, and spending the reward money, that's always good for a couple of hours in the mall..... Denise [IMG]http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p300/DeeKaySss/Parrot_with_bag.gif[/IMG] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/16/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 65 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,951 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $487.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 7 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 11 [B]Seconds:[/B] 54

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 318

Deep breathing inhall count to 4 exhall count to 4. YELLING like Tarzan. Turn that Music on and sing and dance. Suckers. Remembering how hard it was for me to breath. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/22/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 94 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,797 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $846 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 13 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 57 [B]Seconds:[/B] 41

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 37

Exercising really worked and continues to work for me. I was always very athletic, but smoking obviously halted my athletic abilites. Since my quit, I love the active lifestyle that I'm living once again. In fact, it's Friday and I have a date with the treadmill and personal trainer after work (yeah)! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/15/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 98 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,478 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $392 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 7 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 22 [B]Seconds:[/B] 6

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Coping mechanisms