Stop Smoking Today

Woke up today with a flu like ache across my body.  Those bleedin’ nicotene receptors are clever little buggers.  In any event I’m hoping the physical withdrawl will be over within the week and then I just need to deal with the demons that creep up during ‘challening’ moments.
Something I’ve been giving a bit of thought to is alternatives to smoking during times of stress and irritation.  I actually quite like the idea of buying a load of plates and smashing them in the style of greek wedding … sadly I’ve had to put that idea to bed because of the danger of potential collateral damage, not to mention the mess.  The hunt continues…..

Everyone gets stressed. Smokers tend to smoke more when stressed. As a former smoker, when I get stressed I tend to get the old ‘a cigarette would make you feel better’ feeling. It’s worth rationalising that smoking a cigartette doesn’t solve problems, doesn’t relieve any stress apart from the stress of not smoking. Furthermore, if you’ve resolved to quit you’ll feel like a grade A fool if you start again because of some stressful situation in your life. So just remember, few deep breaths, remember not too take yourself too seriously and remember not to smoke….some days are harder than others….

One of the tactics I have been using to overcome my urges is the use of affirmations.  We are all very lucky that we can talk in our heads, because I am saying the words ‘I am non-smoker’ 10 times in a row during certain parts of the day.  Well, it’s all good fun.  Anyway, the point is, using affirmations can have a postive effect on the way you see yourself.  Truth be told, I still see myself as a smoker on many levels because so much of the last 12 years is associated with smoking.  By using affirmations I’m trying to reprogram myself (hopefully it’s not too late).  So these little bouts of chanting in my head have been quite positive and seem to be helping.