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Triggers, who knew? Cancel

1. ocean

   

   286 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   05 Jan 2018

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   Hi Guys, just another week till I'm off cigarettes and I had the best talk with an aquaintance last night about her journey.  She's also a die hard nic addict and she's been smokefree for a couple of months now and is still so committed.  We were talking about her nrt, which will be similar to what I'll be doing, but then I thought about my own personal triggers whcih set me off and can/have lead to obessions for a smoke just to calm myself down.  And they're not all about negative situations, surprise, surprise!  I get triggered by too much happy/exciting things too.  Like splurging on something special.  I just get so excited, then I start to feel like:  OK, calm down, it's not THAT exciting, (say, on a splurge for new couch cushions or whatever).  It's like an "I want to celebrate" feeling and it takes a good few hours to calm the heck down.  It's like a weird impulse, or rashness feeling that I know is impairing my judgement.  So I have to swallow my humble pie, and when these situations or feelings arise, I need to head home and just pace outside or something to get this swing of elation down to size.  It's like I have to tell myself to "Calm the F down!!".  I thought I was the only one who had these weird triggers, but apparently it's not as uncommon as I thought.
2. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   05 Jan 2018

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   Hi Ocean,
   
   I am not surprised that happiness or elation is a trigger for you.  It was for me as well.  I mean, I not only lit up when I was unhappy or stressed, but also when I wanted to celebrate.  When I think about it, I smoked for any old reason at all.  Or so I told myself.  But the real reason I lit up was because I was addicted, and I would use any excuse to light up.
   
   It's great that you realized that this would be a trigger for you, because you can prepare yourself for it in advance.
   
   I can't believe your quit day is only a week away now, Ocean.  Time really does fly by.  I'm glad to hear that you have a friend who has quit, because she can probably give you a lot of strength and encouragement as you go through this process.  And of course, there's always us, too!
   
   Let the countdown begin!!!
3. linda, quit coach

   

   146 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   05 Jan 2018

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   Hi Ocean,
   
   So glad to hear that you are very close to your smoke-free day and your awareness of your triggers is so important. By acknowledging in advance that some situations or feelings can trigger you to smoke, you can be better prepared to handle them. Like Treepeo said '' It's great that you realized that this would be a trigger for you, because you can prepare yourself for it in advance."
   
   Triggers can be anything: certain times of the day, certain places or people, drinking coffee or alcohol, when driving a car, when talking on the phone, being angry, bored, stressed and even positive feelings of happiness or excitement can give you an urge to smoke. You know yourself best and by learning to recognize your own smoking triggers, you can plan in advance and find different ways and strategies to avoid them or defuse them. Congrats for all the hard work you've done to reach this day!
4. brieffree

   

   1477 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   06 Jan 2018 in reply to ocean

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   Dear Ocean
   
   If I could I hug you! Hand in there! You are doing great! One week free is amazing.
   .
   Don't forget to distract yourself.
   Drink a lot water.
   Go for a walk
   Talk to someone about haw you feel.
   Delay the crave till it pass
   
   One day at the time!
   
   Congrats finally the day has come!