Best of the Forum: Days 3 and 4

Days Three and Four

***DAY 3***

JKurkowski
Post #10357.1

I log on to this site so many times a day! I thank you all for your support. I have been smoke free for 3 days 10 hrs, 45 min. and it seems so insignificant compared to most I read. This weekend is especially hard, my first smoke free in 30 years! and I think being at home is harder that at work. I am used to lighting up anytime I want to at home. I must say, things are getting cleaner around here! Thanks for listening. Has anyone just packed up their family?? (those triggers!)

Answer from: Terry(HudsonSF)
Post #10357.2

Your three days are very significant! I have always believed that the worst of the "work" of cessation happens early on when we are first breaking away from smoking. Every second can seem to drag by, and the withdrawal symptoms can be intense! That is one reason why you should be rewarding yourself on a daily basis right now. Every single day you put behind you smoke free should be celebrated! Small things like taking time for a long hot bath or time alone to read at the end of the day can help destress and make you feel good about your accomplishments. Whatever makes you feel pampered right now, DO.

Drink that water! It really does help. Also get out for a walk every day if you can and eat a well-balanced diet. Get more rest too, if possible. All of these things do help minimize the discomforts of withdrawal.

Remember that better days are ahead. They truly are! Withdrawal is a very temporary condition, so keep your focus and take it one day or hour at a time. You're doing it!!

***DAY 4***

cooltexasmom
Post #9980.1

Just looking for some encouragement. I know the physical withdraw should be over, but i'm hurting! Looking for a reason to NOT go buy a pack!

Answer from Rick(WILEECOYOTE5)
Post #9980.2

There are a thousand reasons to not go buy a pack. I'm sure you have repeated them all to yourself at least a hundred times so far, so I'm not going to repeat them. I would like to comment on two things. One...what you are working on is defeating one of, if not the, worst addiction in the world. You are not breaking a habit. Try drinking lots of ice water, especially when a bad craving hits. Find something to put in your mouth. A lot of people here swear by the tangerine Altoids. Use hard candy, suck on a straw, or do like I have done...eat your way thru a forest or two worth of toothpicks. (Just put a fresh toothpick in by the way) Hang in there. Eventually it will get better and easier...please note...I said easier not easy. This is going to be one hell of a battle.

The second thing I want to mention is what I consider the most important day in a quit. That day is TODAY.

Do not look at this quit in the long range. Don't tell yourself you will never smoke again. Just deal with it a day at a time. Remember this...the only day that is important is TODAY. Today, today, today... You cannot do a thing about yesterday. It is gone forever and can never be changed. Tomorrow never comes. Even when the clock crosses midnight you are not dealing with tomorrow, it is now today. The only day you can do anything about is today. Tell yourself "I will not smoke today"...or this hour...or this minute. Break it down to whatever length of time you need to to be successful but never longer than today. Milestones are great and they feel sooo very good as we hit them. But, we get to them one day at a time.

One last thought...

Before giving in to that one cigarette, REMEMBER, they travel in PACKS.