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1. 3rdtimecharm

   

   2 posts
   Registered:
   05 Feb 2019
   16 Feb 2019

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   Hi all, wishing you good luck and good willpower to continue the road to quitting smoking.   I am a 40 year smoker on my 3rd day without a cigarette.  I do fine all day, until after dinner.  By then, my work is done, my housework, errands, etc are all done and it's time to relax for an hour or two before going to bed.  Those few hours are the worst!!!  It's time to relax as I'm tired from being productive all day, yet that is when I am the most fidgety for a cigarette. Any suggestions?????
   Thank you!
   
2. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   17 Feb 2019 in reply to 3rdtimecharm

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   3rdtime,
   
   It's while we keep occupied that it isn't so bad. For me, the first few weeks were a real struggle because I didn't know how to do anything without going for a smoke. It basically takes time to train our mind to not do the routine of smoking.
   
   For the first while when I felt like having a smoke, I would get up and go to the kitchen and pour a small glass of water and just take little sips and swish them around in my mouth.
   
   
   
3. efram, quit coach

   

   235 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   17 Feb 2019 in reply to atp

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   Nice to hear that you're doing well for most of the day, 3rdtimecharm. You're off to a great start!
   
   For the evenings, along with atp's suggestion of sipping/swishing water, it may also help to think of some different ways to relax before bed. If you typically take a shower or bath in the morning, it may be good to switch that to the evening, for example. If you have some relaxing hobbies, this could be a chance to enjoy them: reading, music, whittling, etc.
   
   Hope this helps!
   
   -Efram 
4. wandam

   

   241 posts
   Registered:
   05 Feb 2019
   17 Feb 2019 in reply to 3rdtimecharm

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   Hi there, 
   
   Way to go on your smoke free journey! I found sipping on lemon 🍋 water, hot bubble baths, going online & educating myself on the benefits of a smoke free life all helpful in distracting myself.

   Last modified on 17 Feb 2019 21:01 by wandam
5. ljlj

   

   3 posts
   Registered:
   13 Feb 2019
   19 Feb 2019

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   Ive been eating alot of mints, also water as mentioned above. I find it helps
6. 3rdtimecharm

   

   2 posts
   Registered:
   05 Feb 2019
   21 Feb 2019

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   Thank you all so much for your suggestions! Sometimes just knowing someone else understands and is going throught it themselves helps a lot!
7. brieffree

   

   1477 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   21 Feb 2019

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   HI 3RDIMECHARM
   
   I believe you are doing great! you need to find different ways to cop with the stress on those hs.
   
   For example: 
   
   - Take a shower
   - read a book
   - take a tea
   - distract yourself
   - find something to keep your mind busy
   - go for a walk
   - use your imagination 
   
   I am sure you will feel much better!
   
8. kate r, quit coach

   

   49 posts
   Registered:
   16 Jan 2019
   22 Feb 2019

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   3rdtimecharm,
   
   As others have mentioned, you are doing great! Feeling understood and supported is also definitely important for many (glad to see you have received that support here). The evening hours are often a challenging time for cravings after a long day and when your routine includes unwinding with a cigarette. How you are feeling is quite normal, though it is difficult!
   
   Keep up the great work! Hopefully some of the suggestions by atp, wandam, ljlj, and brieffree have been helpful. Soon you will have a new evening routine that does not include smoking. It will get easier.
   
   - Kate R