So you've checked out your schedule and picked a convenient time to begin free from major stress and distraction. This doesn't mean you'll have to go into the "isolation chamber" or become a hermit of sorts. You'll need to focus you attention on your craving for six or seven minutes out of each hour for the first day or two; less as you progress through the week. A weekend should get you firmly on track.
As long as you pay attention when it's called for you'll find your body will the heavy lifting- just stay out of the way! You'll experience success from the beginning and you find the small task that the craving sets for you won't get in the way of a relaxed and normal day.
The evening before I quit I went out in the backyard and had a cigarette. I thought about the times that a smoke had accompanied pleasure.The hours in maternity wards awaiting the birth of my sons. Breakfast in bed with coffee and cigarettes followed by eggs over easy fried in the fat from crisp bacon. Black Balkan Sobranie cigarettes.Rum and Coke and smokes by a campfire under the Northern Lights. Then I took the time to say "good-bye" to my old friend Tobacco.
Take some time to reflect on the good times then make your farewell. Don't make a bigger deal out of this than you need to but something quite close to you is on its way out of your life and, I must add, out of your body. As result of your action your life will change for the better in ways you can't foresee. A parting gesture or small ritual might, or might not, be appropriate for you.
You may, or may not, experience a sense of loss. If so, be aware that it can show up as:
Anger-" This a bunch of bogus crap!".
Denial-"I've never been able to quit. Lot's of smokers live to a ripe old age. I've had a rough day, I deserve a smoke."
Bargaining- "I can just cut back to a couple a day. Just have a couple at a party."
Sadness- " I really miss a smoke with my morning coffee."
Acceptance-" I've said 'good-bye' and now I need to get on with the process and my life."
It's very human way of coping with loss. It's natural and only indirectly related to the de-tox process at work in your body. Recognize this basic psychological ration to leaving tobacco behind. Honour it but you don't need to anything more than recognize it for what it is and get on with the job.
You may find,in the first few days, that you misplace things more than usual or find yourself standing in a room wondering what brought you there. Chalk it up to the temporary short-term loss that's part of the mental reaction to leaving tobacco behind. This is ok. Medicating with nicotine is not an acceptable response. Your mental sharpness will be more acute when you've rid your body of nicotine but this is another reason to begin the process at a time and in a place where there are no big demands on your brainpower.
These symptoms of the loss cycle can be eased and balanced with some exercise. The increased oxygen uptake will speed de-tox as will lots of water and a healthy diet that avoids over-salted and over-saturated foods. It's interesting to note that this advice is same as that given by Critical Incident Counselors to folks who've experienced severe trauma.
Let family and friends know what you're doing and cue them to those moments when you'll be "on task."
As long as you pay attention when it's called for you'll find your body will the heavy lifting- just stay out of the way! You'll experience success from the beginning and you find the small task that the craving sets for you won't get in the way of a relaxed and normal day.
The evening before I quit I went out in the backyard and had a cigarette. I thought about the times that a smoke had accompanied pleasure.The hours in maternity wards awaiting the birth of my sons. Breakfast in bed with coffee and cigarettes followed by eggs over easy fried in the fat from crisp bacon. Black Balkan Sobranie cigarettes.Rum and Coke and smokes by a campfire under the Northern Lights. Then I took the time to say "good-bye" to my old friend Tobacco.
Take some time to reflect on the good times then make your farewell. Don't make a bigger deal out of this than you need to but something quite close to you is on its way out of your life and, I must add, out of your body. As result of your action your life will change for the better in ways you can't foresee. A parting gesture or small ritual might, or might not, be appropriate for you.
You may, or may not, experience a sense of loss. If so, be aware that it can show up as:
Anger-" This a bunch of bogus crap!".
Denial-"I've never been able to quit. Lot's of smokers live to a ripe old age. I've had a rough day, I deserve a smoke."
Bargaining- "I can just cut back to a couple a day. Just have a couple at a party."
Sadness- " I really miss a smoke with my morning coffee."
Acceptance-" I've said 'good-bye' and now I need to get on with the process and my life."
It's very human way of coping with loss. It's natural and only indirectly related to the de-tox process at work in your body. Recognize this basic psychological ration to leaving tobacco behind. Honour it but you don't need to anything more than recognize it for what it is and get on with the job.
You may find,in the first few days, that you misplace things more than usual or find yourself standing in a room wondering what brought you there. Chalk it up to the temporary short-term loss that's part of the mental reaction to leaving tobacco behind. This is ok. Medicating with nicotine is not an acceptable response. Your mental sharpness will be more acute when you've rid your body of nicotine but this is another reason to begin the process at a time and in a place where there are no big demands on your brainpower.
These symptoms of the loss cycle can be eased and balanced with some exercise. The increased oxygen uptake will speed de-tox as will lots of water and a healthy diet that avoids over-salted and over-saturated foods. It's interesting to note that this advice is same as that given by Critical Incident Counselors to folks who've experienced severe trauma.
Let family and friends know what you're doing and cue them to those moments when you'll be "on task."
