Anxiety - day 1 the worst?

[Onedigeridoo]

I'm suffering through day 1 (or strictly speaking day 2) and i had a thought:

Surely this is the worst it ever gets. It seems like a long time but if i can deal with it for one hour, i can deal with it for the rest of the day, and the day after, and so on. And it should get easier over time?

[mushen Valued Contributor]

Hello! Days 1-3 can be tricky because this is how long it takes first the nicotine to leave the body. After this you then have to get to grips with the mental part of quitting. It is hard but it is not hard forever. Things do get easier with each passing day. What you have to do, is hang in there because this is an achievable goal and within your reach. Don't spend time thinking about tomorrow or next week, just pour your effort into right now and getting through this afternoon.

Have a look at the awesome (short) videos on WhyQuit.com, they will take you through just about everything you are and may experience in the first two weeks. They are great motivators.

Keep plodding on. You can do it! 😊

If you need support, post as often as you need to.

[Onedigeridoo in reply to mushen]

Thanks for the support, i might have a look at whyquit later, I've watched some of the guy's videos before, he's very good. Thanks again. I'm still going strong and it's coming up to 24 hours.

[mushen Valued Contributor in reply to Onedigeridoo]

Excellent stuff! Onwards to Day 2!

[Onedigeridoo in reply to mushen]

Yes! Day two starts in a couple of hours! Thanks

[Dp338 1 Year Smoke Free]

It gets better you got it. get past one crave one hour one day soon you won't be leave you ever smoke. And you won't stink come to this site it helps the quiters here are great

[Onedigeridoo in reply to Dp338]

Thanks, i appreciate that very much.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Hey Onedigeridoo - sorry for only replying now - was out for the day in the beautiful weather we are having, 19 degrees today

I am copying over our posts from last night as can't really add anything more, anxiety is perfectly normal and will have it on and off for a while -it takes 3 days for the nicotine to leave your system - then the mental battle starts which is the real battle, as said yesterday just take it hour by hour, I promise as each day passes smoke free, the stronger you will become, if cravings get bad, I would suggest reading our Hercu 's journey, he is almost 2 years quit through champix and shares so well his journey, again, I promise YOU CAN DO THIS!

RoisinO1 Administrator

My advice to you Onedigeridoo would be to maybe say to yourself first thing every morning 'I am not going to smoke today' and just take it hour by hour and gradually build on it as you get stronger to day by day, week by week and so on.

With regards when the cravings hit, a mindset I always had and still to a year and a half on, 'quitting won't kill me but continuing could very do so'.....

Have a plan in place when you quit to keep busy - do up a 'to do' list and reward yourself as you go through the list, drink lots and lots of water, bit of exercise and above all stay close to us and post anytime - good or bad days - see you soon

Reply Like (0)

Onedigeridoo

a day agoOnedigeridoo 1 Day Smoke Free

Thank you Roisin very much for the advice. I've thrown away my remaining cigarettes, i just smoked one and the smell was horrible. I don't want that smell in my mouth any more. So I guess today is my day one, or would that be tomorrow?

Reply Like (1)

RoisinO1

a day agoRoisinO1 Administrator

Great Onedigeridoo , well done, will put today as your Day 1, so no going back now, you are in it for the long haul

Get rid of all smoking related stuff and be ready to start tomorrow your first whole day journey smoke free, post anytime, below is a link to some helpful posts if not already read

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin...

Reply Like (0)

Onedigeridoo

a day agoOnedigeridoo 1 Day Smoke Free

Thanks very much Roisin, one hour down and counting! Now I'm going to make a to-do list for tomorrow like you said.

[Onedigeridoo in reply to RoisinO1]

Thanks Roisin. Day 1 wasn't too bad, it's the bargaining with myself (eg "I can quit next week instead") and the temptation that I struggle with. But I managed it and I had some nice treats like a diet coke and a croissant in a café to keep me going.

Wanting to not let people down on here was a good motivation, well not exactly not letting people down, more like saving face, if that makes sense. I didn't want to fail after people on here have helped me.

Another thing that helped me was the way everything smells. Even the unpleasant smells are good, I haven't noticed them for years.

Also the Champix is doing its job and I know if I smoke it'll be a fraction as nice as before.

Thanks again Roisin. Day two started a few hours ago.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Onedigeridoo]

Yes, it makes perfect sense Onedigeridoo about not letting us down here, felt the same especially in my smoking dreams (have had and still have an odd smoking dream and how devastated I am that I gave in and having to tell ye here ) Your quit already seems to be very similar to mine - the smells that I hadn't come across since I was a child is unreal, still coming across them! The summer is the best - you have all the wonderful summer scents to look forward but beware some might give intense cravings so be prepared for that, in fact, for all seasons, events, milestones for your first year as a non smoker - the good news is that for each craving you overcome in your journey the stronger you become to fight the next one and may not encounter again, if you know what I mean, stay strong, you really are doing brilliant and post anytime

[Onedigeridoo in reply to RoisinO1]

Thanks Roisin, I take the view that if I can get through a situation once or twice then it should be easier after that. The long hours at home doing nothing are a big trigger for me but I'm going to write a plan for my day again on my Google Keep so I won't get anxious about having nothing to do. Thank you for your kind words.

[Louiseb17 2 Years Smoke Free]

You can do this.. take it day by day x

[Onedigeridoo in reply to Louiseb17]

Thanks Louise craving by craving. I tell myself when I have a craving that this is as bad as it gets and it won't get any worse.

[Louiseb17 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to Onedigeridoo]

Exactly..just remember that they last 3 minutes! Put on a timer, fill up a water bottle and run up and down the stairs for 3 mins (or whatever physical activity you like lol)

I had a craving last week.. I came on here, posted and started running up and down the stairs.. lol 😂 you look crazy but it helps!

The cravings will intensify then get less and less.. I'm 10 weeks smoke free and noticed today I think it crossed my mind once! So it's achievable 😊

[Onedigeridoo in reply to Louiseb17]

Well done for getting to 10 weeks. Thanks for warning me that the cravings will intensify, I hope it doesn't get too bad...I think I will be able to deal with it.

Running up and down stairs is a great idea!

[Louiseb17 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to Onedigeridoo]

You'll be fine.. if you feel a craving coming on.. post here and someone will reply asap and get you through it

[Onedigeridoo in reply to Louiseb17]

Thanks Louise...I can try deep breathing and things like that. If I go to a shop I'll buy a treat for myself like a nice drink or something. I'm going to avoid alcohol too.

[Louiseb17 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to Onedigeridoo]

You should for the first month anyway.. I avoided shops for the first 2 weeks 😂 Ordered everything online.. if I'm not there, I can't be tempted!

Chewing gum and soft mints were constantly on the go with me..

Have you downloaded an app to count the days, savings etc? They are really helpful!

Just keep occupied.. remember why your doing this and there's absolutely no benefits to smoking

[Onedigeridoo in reply to Louiseb17]

Wow that's dedicated!

I haven't got one of the apps but I've downloaded them in the past on failed attempts.

Smoking is really horrible for your health and it stops your sense of smell and makes you less happy. You can appreciate beauty more when you don't smoke, i found (on day 1).

Have a good evening Louise and thanks for your help

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Hey Onedigeridoo , hows day 3(2) going for you?

[Onedigeridoo in reply to RoisinO1]

Day 3/2 and I'm going strong! Had a big craving after i cut my nails strangely enough, but i told myself it would get better with a little time and it got better. Found a lighter in my coat pocket and threw it away. Thanks for asking , Roisin.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Onedigeridoo]

Good for you

[Hidden]

Hang in there, it does get easier. Keep yourself busy. im rooting for you..

[Onedigeridoo in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Mikey, day 3 now, two full days under my belt. I'm feeling good and enjoying life.

[Happy_Together 1 Week Smoke Free]

For me the hardest days were the first 3 days, they say it takes 72 hours for your body to be rid of nicotine. I also drank a lot of water to flush the toxins out of my system, I did a breathing exercise, I focused on how really long does a craving last, it is short, lean into it and breathe in and exhale, you can make it. I am 22 days smoke free and just know it is doable, one day at a time.

[Onedigeridoo in reply to Happy_Together]

Thanks happy_together, I did find day 3 quite difficult but I'm into day 4 now and it's going alright.