Well, I'm coming up on three months since I had my last cigarette. 🙂 But I'm still wanting to smoke. Not every minute of every day, but I am still having some fairly horrendous cravings. 🙁
I'm wondering if this has happened to other people and if anyone has any suggestions as to how I can combat it?
Well done on your 3 months of being a non smoker 🙂
Tomorrow is my 2nd year of giving up and I still at times want a ciggie but then I think no I don't, then don't think about it anymore and the need disappears. It does get easier I promise you, just think to yourself that you have managed so far and you will continue to be a non smoker.
Treat yourself to say a new outfit, a massage, the cinema something not too expensive but a treat to say well done to me.......... I have massages and when I'm having them I think to myself of how many more I could of had if I'd stopped smoking years ago, and also of how much more money I'd have saved.
Just think you don't have to stand outside in the cold and wet to have your fix of nicotine like others do now a days.
Enjoy being a non smoker........not a ex smoker that is what I was told
Best wishes
Cis
1st of all, look on the positive side. The health benefits from the time you quit smoking (some of which you have perhaps noticed already) are:
20 minutes
Blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal.
8 hours
Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half, oxygen levels return to normal.
24 hours
Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body.
Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris.
48 hours
There is no nicotine left in the body.
Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved.
72 hours
Breathing becomes easier.
Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.
2 - 12 weeks
Circulation improves.
3 - 9 months
Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function is increased by up to 10%.
1 year
Risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.
10 years
Risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker.
15 years
Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.
Instead of focussing on whether 3 weeks, 3 months or one year etc is the most difficult time as many smokers do, focus on the benefits. I find this tends to move your "target", whether conscious or subconscious, to 15 years.
With regard to withdrawal symptoms, try relaxation/deep breathing exercises during which you imagine/recollect the feelings of withdrawal however/wherever it is that you personally experience them. Then, imagine those feelings as a coloured vapour, whatever colour you would associate with them. Then, focus on moving that vapour to your chest/lungs, then exhale the vapour on the next deep breath out.
Once you have done this successfully a few times under relaxation, you should find you can use this technique consciously when you next feel the withdrawal and, because you have already experienced the effects, you should find you can successfully offset these feelings. The more you do this, the easier it gets until you no longer notice them.
Congratulations on becoming a non-smoker!!
Give yourself a huge pat on the back.
Did you do it all by yourself? Use NRT? Hypnotherapy?
The withdrawal cravings will pass, honest. Carry on using the methods you've used so far to help you along. There's some great hypnotherapy CDs that can help you to keep that motivation to stay a non-smoker.
Good luck
Sue
I used patches for the first month and a half. I then became ill with a horrible kidney infection, and ended up not using the patches as they simply wouldn't stick to me, I was sweating so much. 🙁
I got better after two weeks, but figured if my body coped so well without NRT whilst I was ill (never craved a single one) then it can jolly well cope without it now. 🙂
well done ,before you know it you will not think of them at all,well apart from how bad they smell,i've been stopped 16 months ,and wish i'd done it years ago
Hi,
Just keep it up. In weak moments distract yourself. I'm coming upto about 2 years now. Treat yourself, lots!
busymum.
busy mum still gets cravings
why did nobody suggest eft to you i wonder?
i'd think it could be used to help remove the neural pathways that are linked to your cravings
its extremely effective, very quick and has worked well for clients of mine
otherwise i'd suggest you worked on some distraction techniques as i'd call them, ie things that divert your brain away from being in situations where cravings can arrive...
have you considered that all cravings last an initial 20 seconds only - if you can withstand childbirth try telling yourself that all you have to do to beat the fag demon is withstand for 20 seconds... better way to look at things eh?
best wishes
The simple answer to your question is that you are controlling the situation with neagative suggestions to yourself, like 'I can't, mustn't, shalln't or doon't have a cigarette. Your symptoms are what most if not all people suffer eventually using the conscious mind to control the habit. The mind has to think about what your tewlling it not to so you get the cravings etc because its always on your mind. Better to give yourself a positive suggestion like having 3 deep breathes will calm you and you will feel better or a positive option of drink fresh water instead.
Best of luck
The Essence of Amethyst helps with addictions and breaking habits. It's known as the stone of addictions.
The Essence of Amethyst helps with addictions and breaking habits. It's known as the stone of addictions.
Thanks for the information
I wish you the best of luck, I'm still having a hard time quitting. It seems good for a while and I relapse. Then of course I feel guilty for letting myself down. And I go back to the old habit. I really need to just get away from it ASAP
before i do also smoke but when i heard about the worse effects of cigarette to our health that the time i decided to quit. Right now every time i feel want to smoke i just chew bubble gum to overcome the need in cigarette.
Well, I'm coming up on three months since I had my last cigarette. 🙂 But I'm still wanting to smoke. Not every minute of every day, but I am still having some fairly horrendous cravings. 🙁
I'm wondering if this has happened to other people and if anyone has any suggestions as to how I can combat it?
I...WELL done:),,,I am on patches at the moment...my 15th day.I am sure we will do it.No smelly clothes,hair or breath.Do not have to stand out in the rain solo just to puff the wet weed.Healthy,socially acceptable and a fat wallet....
GOOD LUCK KEEP GOING DAY BY DAY.
Blessings...zemzia
Well done and keep going! 🙂
I stopped smoking 17 years ago - After years of failed attempts I woke one morning and thought "I'm not enjoying it any more" and stopped.
Even today I still get occasional (Maybe once a year) cravings as strong as the day I stopped. All I do is, as recommended earlier, distract myself with something for a minute or so and it passes.
You really have done the hard part, it gets easier and easier from here.
D