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1. writerguy1975

   

   6 posts
   Registered:
   03 Apr 2020
   03 Apr 2020

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   Hi all:
   
   I'm seven days off the NRT and am doing fine. I'm going to buy some records on Amazon to reward myself for not using the NRT (I haven't smoked in months).
   
   I'm just wondering if anyone had tips or techniques to deal with thoughts of smoking. I'm not dealing too much with physical cravings at this point anymore -- I was dead tired for the first three days of this "quit" and would not like to repeat that experience again if I can help it (which may be a way of answering my own question here). But today I had a mild craving when I woke up this morning, and thought about smoking -- and I really had to delay and try to chase those thoughts away the best I could. I obviously succeeded this morning, but I just worry that I could have a slip if I think about smoking too much. I know Alan Carr might have dealt with this in his book, but I'm just wondering what others do when thoughts about smoking hit. 
2. jenna lee, quit coach

   

   265 posts
   Registered:
   28 Jun 2018
   03 Apr 2020 in reply to writerguy1975

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   writerguy1975,
   
   What an awesome way to reward yourself!
   
   Thoughts about smoking can surely creep up. What you are doing, by reminding yourself about how you do not want to go through withdrawal again, is certainly a good strategy. So keep that up. Mornings can be a rough time for many people as well, so you certainly are not in this alone.
   
   Some people like to use the metaphor: cravings are like a knock at the door. We can choose not to answer and they do eventually go away.
   
   You can also think of the reasons you chose to quit and the benefits you are getting by being smoke-free to counter those craving 'thoughts'.
   
   Soon you will go to bed at the end of the day and realize you had not thought of smoking all day; that will be something nice to look forward to.
   
   Hope this helps,
   
   Jenna Lee
3. brieffree

   

   1477 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   03 Apr 2020 in reply to writerguy1975

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   Hi writerguy1975
   
   I think is normal.
   Your Brain is trying to trick you into the crave, what works for me was to take a shower in the morning.
   That makes me get buzzy and lock great! so my mind is focus in me!
   That is how I get rid of the cravings in the morning!
   Then the day is different, I wear colon to change the sensation of smells.
   Fruits helps a lot, you will be busy for a wile and is so good and health!
   Anything you can image that works for you!
   I think you are doing great, you need to start thinking in positive as non smoker!
   Smokes do not exist. anymore!  
   
   Give your self time, I am sure will go away soon.
4. dulcette

   

   2 posts
   Registered:
   29 Mar 2020
   05 Apr 2020 in reply to writerguy1975

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   Inspirational speaker, Mel Robbins, provides two helpful hints I have used for this and many other things.
   1) When I think of X, I will instead think of Y.  Example:  when I think of smoking, instead I'll think of playing with a puppy.  You may have to write this down until it becomes a new habit.  Or put a picture up of what you what to think about.
   2) Then whenever you think of X, do the 5-second rule.  The minute you think of smoking, stop, count down 5, 4, 3, 2,1 and then think of the new thing.  
   It's a brief way to retrain the mind.
   
   Awesome work and keep it.  And I think rewarding yourself from the money savings is an awesome thing to do.
   I buy myself a bouquet of flowers each week to celebrate my win.
5. writerguy1975

   

   6 posts
   Registered:
   03 Apr 2020
   06 Apr 2020

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   Thanks everyone for the helpful tips!