Husband Quit Smoking October 18 and Still Going Strong

He was reading the blog over my shoulder earlier and laughed a little then had a serious look on his face.

I think he realized how big of a deal this is for him. No cigarettes for over a month now and he's doing it.

He still chews gum and today bought small mints so he's still dealing with that what do you do feeling but that's okay.

It takes a while for our bodies to adjust to a new behavior even if it's doing nothing.

I think the repetition of smoking in all of it's motions becomes ingrained and feels like a part of what we do without thinking.

Almost like blinking or breathing. We just do it until we don't do it anymore.

I'm so happy for him.

The irritability has lessened and he seems not to think about not smoking as often these days. More time goes by without the urge or craving and that is a relief.

His timing is good. He smoked outdoors to not bother me or others and it is really getting cold now. In the 20's here tonight. He doesn't have to suffer through that anymore.

I think he's going to make it.

Two or three years ago he used the nicotine patch to quit and stayed quit for about three months.

We all practice for the grand finale and I hope this is his encore.

Tips for quitting smoking comes from wanting to share what I know in a way that helps others.

Even if it's just one person.

Also, it helps to remind me of where I was when I quit smoking and how I came through using information I found online to help me through the withdrawal and show me ways to make it easier.

Pay it forward.

Tips to Quit Smoking That Work

I am a former smoker. I've not smoked a cigarette for over ten years after smoking for over 25 years. I was a heavy smoker for the most part.
Even smoked Marlboro reds for a long time.

I say all of that to say this: One of the best tips for me when I stopped smoking was an exercise or process taught to people who have anxiety disorder or panic attacks.

They tell the sufferers to try and not get carried away by their feelings but to let them flow through their body until the feelings have dissipated. To relax and let it happen and that seems to shorten the attack.

The same thing can work for those of us who have strong reactions to quitting smoking. The urge to smoke can feel almost overwhelming at times especially when you first quit.

The tip is to let it flow through. Sit still and suffer the urge. Fully feel the physical and mental and emotional pull of the cigarette until it goes away.

It's called suffering well. You just do it. The thing that is hard to believe is that it will go away.

People who quit smoking or go through anxiety attacks frequently believe that they will always feel that way. That it is unbearable to feel that way.
This proves that is a myth. A myth-belief.

Although it may feel really bad and hard - you can do it.
Try it and see for yourself.

If you give in to it and let it grow and consume you don't despair. Try again next time. Don't ever give up. Trying makes perfect. It doesn't matter how many times you have to try before your time takes.

That is how new habits are formed. By not giving in to the old. By trying something new. Minute by minute if need be. Step by step.

Also, speak with a health professional if this gets hard and you are feeling tired of trying. The stress we generate from trying not to be stressful can be self defeating.

Let it go. Let it go by letting it go through you. Like a wave or a cloud. It will dissipate.

I promise. I did this until I didn't need to do it anymore.
It works.

Best Wishes.

Stop Smoking for 23 Days and Counting

Husband has 23 days of not smoking under his belt and it's really showing. Almost no cough and his snoring is better which means better sleep and more energy.

I think he sees how much the Chantix altered his moods but we will still give it credit for getting him started. It did help and we didn't notice the mood changes until around the second week.

He has started chewing gum to help with that ex - smokers need to do something and it seems to help. He had tried three different gums: Juicy Fruit, Stride and a sugar free berry flavored one. His favorite so far has been Stride. He says the flavor lasts longer than the others.

Best Wishes.