Day 1 almost complete!

[nsd_user663_57922]

Somebody please tell me it gets a bit easier! Quitting to benefit my health and for my daughter. Thought joining here might help, chat to others battling the same addiction! Any tips and support anyone could give me would be really awesome! Thanks

[nsd_user663_57259]

Hi Vickie, it really does get better after the first week, but there are ups and downs along the way. I'm on day 34 and have had an awful day of cravings and mood swings but the past 2 weeks were pretty easy. I'm hoping tomorrow will be easier again.

My personal view is that day 1 - day 5 are the hardest (day 4 was probably my worst) but then it gets a lot easier and the craves are less intense and you will find your own technique to get through them. Water, tea, sweets, deep breaths etc etc

Well done for making the decision to quit. This forum is great as there is always someone around to help!

Sarah

[nsd_user663_54332]

Somebody please tell me it gets a bit easier! Quitting to benefit my health and for my daughter. Thought joining here might help, chat to others battling the same addiction! Any tips and support anyone could give me would be really awesome! Thanks

Hi Vickie

Welcome to the forum, there's lots of lovely people here who will definitely help you!!

It definitely gets easier, the first week or so are the worst, so get that out of the way and it's better

Are you going cold turkey or using NRT? Either's fine, just want to be able to help as best as I can!!

Generally though, drink lots of water - it's halthy anyway but for some reason it helps!!

Eat sweets, chew gum, suck lollies, anything to keep your mouth busy - it feels odd not popping a fag in it 20ish times a day so that makes it better!!

Get something to keep your hands busy - I used a Tangle toy (because one of my friends got one in her quit kit so i pinched the idea) but anything will do

Keep your mind busy 'cos craves get worse when you're bored!!

Exercise is fab, it makes you feel good

And post on here when you're craving, it's the best help I've found!!

[nsd_user663_56386]

Tips

Take small steps don't look to far ahead Max advice is good 1 day at a time

Im using Gum have used xxx mints in the past

A thought do we smoke in our sleep answer no

another experience, when we fly transatlantic do we smoke answer no so its manageable. I remember when i flew to Thailand from the uk there was a smoking room upon arrival. However was it pleasant, the room reaked and the ashtrays were over flowing do we like smoking that much

keep yourself busy & be strong

[nsd_user663_22353]

First 3 days are tough, but nothing that's going to kill you. The opposite in fact!

My advice, read up so you know what to expect & remove any fear of the unknown. Cravings & withdrawal are a LOT easier to ride out when you know what they are & why they're happening.

Don't fear or dread your cravings. They're a good thing, they mean you're winning. Take control, give yourself a couple of minutes & they're nowhere near as bad as they're made out to be. Be proud of what you're doing, it's literally the best thing you can do for yourself.

Only you can make you smoke again. Take it a day at a time, an hour at a time, even a minute if you have to. That time will all add up regardless & you'll get to where you want to be.

[nsd_user663_53617]

Hi Vickie and welcome to the forum, congratulations on completing your first smoke free day! Lots of good advice here, definitely take one day (or hour) at a time as the first week is always the worst. It definitely does get easier but there's lots of ups and downs along the way - ALL WORTH IT TO BE FREE OF THE CIGS!!!

[nsd_user663_54620]

Not only does it get better but it is so very much worth it. I am at 147 days and it is hard but it gets better each week. I found that each week was half as hard as the previous week. The whole time I kept imagining myself where I am now. I imagined myself on the other side of the struggle and that seemed to help quite a bit. Literally take it one bit at a time. Don't worry about tomorrow. Just focus on not smoking right now in this moment. Find anything to distract yourself. I had gained 2 stone while quitting but my GP told me that I can worry about the weight later. The reality is, if I have some extra weight for a year or two then it is no where near as bad as the poisoning from the fags.

Now I don't have to worry about making sure I bring my packet or worry about finding a spot to have a puff. It is more than worth it. It will be one of the hardest struggles but if you can make it through this then you can do anything. Don't give up on yourself!

We are all here to support you on getting there. No matter what your path is. When you have trouble then type away. Type until you are worn thin if you have to. Do anything to wait it out just a bit longer. If you keep doing that enough then eventually you will find yourself where I am and it is so much better than I could have ever expected!!!