Day 10
“Positive thinking is a healthy tonic.
Think well of yourself.
Think yourself well.”
-Steve Iig_
Some of the more difficult urges that seem to hang on for weeks after you’ve stopped smoking are usually linked to certain situations or times of the day. You may find that some of the strongest urges come right after meals or driving in your car. Even after most of the other urges have passed, these two triggers tend to still be around. Here are some tips that may help with trigger situations:
- First, it’s much more likely to be a problem if you are having a meal with someone who smokes and lights up after the meal. The most important rule of thumb is not to stay at the table.
- Leave the table as soon as you can after eating. Take a fast walk, maybe with some deep breathing along the way. Get into the habit of helping with the dishes; not only does it keep you busy, but wet hands and cigarettes never mix very well.
- Another good habit is to brush your teeth after every meal. This gets rid of the taste of food, refreshes you and is also good for your teeth.
- If driving in your car try listening to a CD that relaxes or energizes you to help keep the focus off the craving. Sing like crazy to your favorite songs!
- Try taking a different route than usual.
- Chew on a straw or toothpick while driving.
Another link that tends to bother former smokers is the coffee cigarette link. The best advice here is to switch to another drink for awhile or at least cut down on coffee drinking. Try drinking fruit juice or skim milk instead.
What about alcohol? It’s led many former smokers back to cigarettes. You can go weeks without a cigarette, have one drink and – wham – the urge for a cigarette hits you out of nowhere. Remember, alcohol will weaken your will power no matter what you do. It is best to avoid alcohol for a while. If you must drink, switch to a drink with less alcohol. Another good idea is to take a swizzle stick and chew on it while you’re drinking a non-alcoholic drink to help prevent the urge for a cigarette.