Routine changes. ..

[Jfarrelly82]

Out of curiosity how have your morning and or evening routines changed since you have stopped smoking? Looking for new ideas as I am adjusting to relaxing in the morning with my coffee and evenings without cigarettes

[Suehyp]

Hi, I'm a stop smoking therapist...I'd suggest that changing the habits around when you used to smoke is absolutely right; from drinking tea instead of coffee (or vice versa) to sitting in a different place, these changes help to reduce thoughts about smoking and begin to build new habits. Wishing you all the best and well done so far

Suehyp

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to Suehyp]

Hi Sue a big warm welcome to our lovely quit support forum

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to reply and help our members

Some people say that smoking isnt a habbit but I'm with you, cos I know myself its a habit at certain times of the day you want one doing certain things, you want one going to certain places, you want one etc.

Like you say, trying to change your habits helps a lot

Pete

[Suehyp in reply to monky]

Thanks Pete

Sorry for the delay, I've been on holiday. It's great to see the support you've been giving others....that will really help

Sue

[Fuzzums 10 MONTH WINNER]

Yes actually. In the evenings I now make a point to go for a nice strenuous walk. Get myself a bit out of breath and sweaty haha.

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to Fuzzums]

Yes Fuzz, thats a great idea, plus get some fresh air tooooo

[glolin LONG TERM WINNER]

I used to have coffee and smoke or two before having a shower, I found by showering first, it gave me the time to reflect and acknowledge the day before, while planning the new day.

I never missed not having a smoke as it the change in routine meant that I wasn't dependent on that first morning smoke. Hope this helps

[PapaM 21 Months Winner]

I haven't changed that much, or at least not intentionally. I have had to learn to do all things I enjoy all over again (without a smoke). However, I used to sit on the back porch and smoke in the mornings with coffee and evenings after dinner……….. Haven’t thought about this particular issue until just now. Now I just avoid sitting there all together. Going to have to change that,

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to PapaM]

Aup Mark

Yep, I know exactly what you mean a couple of years ago, I built a pagoda at the top of my garden, with table and seating and all It catches the sun in the late afternoon and evenings and I used to sit there with er-in-doors with a fag and a can when I got home from work and unwound

When I quit, I just couldnt, dernt, go and sit there I was so scared funny eh but I was so scared Then about this time last Year, I got home from work and I'd had a really hard day at work BUT, I still got on my rower and did my bit went for my shower and had my dins By this time, er-in-doors was at the top of the garden enjoyyying

Soooo, I took some deeeeeeep breaths got my can a lager and flippin confronted it and I tell ya, it wasnt that bad although mr nic did call on me it wasnt as bad as I expected it to be and her-in-doors was smoking as well Almost a Year on from then and I can go up there and it dosent bother me what so ever now

Mark, you just pluck up courage and go for it pal even if its for a few minutes to start with you've beat mr nic, now you got to beat the habit too

Take care Mark and hope to see ya's soon

[PapaM 21 Months Winner in reply to monky]

Thanks Monky.

I have attacked many of the 'triggers' head on. Card night with the boys, fishing trips, yard work have not been that big of a hurdle, but just sitting and relaxing has been the worst. got to stay busy, can hardly watch the evening news. But it is getting better, anxiety is still pretty high.

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky]

Hiya J, I used to sit in the shed with my coffee in the morning and my iPad but stopped going out there for a few weeks and it was tough at first. Last thing at night was the same but I'm really happy I don't do that anymore. It's all a case of breaking the habit and forming new ones. You're doing great, well done. I also found if I came on here and started reading posts, it distracted me so I could enjoy my coffee and read about other people's quit. Keep going and your new routines will become easier😊x

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer]

Aup J, I hope your getting through ok

Ermmm, I got over the mornings quite easy really, cos I get up early normally and cos I press the flippin soooooze button too many times, that means I have to rush about and dont have time to think about smoking

Now then, the evenings were much much different I used to get home from work and walk into the house and that was it cos my other half and her brother both smoke in the house God did that flippin mr nic get at me then but somebody on here said ' try exercising ' I think it was Emjay and I remembered that I'd got a rowing machine in my garage, soooo, I dusted it off and gave it a trial run

The next night I got home from work, I opened my garage up and flippin jumped onto that rowing machine and gave it flippin HELL I got off it coughing and spluttering BUT, that did the trick it broke mr nics back ok, when I got in the house and went for a shower, then had my dinns, he had a go at me again, but nothing like it was I could get rid of him in a few minutes

J, your doing ever soo well you really are you stick at it now, cos I tell ya, I feel soooooo much better and healthier and I love life again

Pete

[ximxie 9 MONTH WINNER]

Before going to sleep I would highly recommend reading a book you have personally choosen and are likely to love! It doesn't only make you concentrated on reading (and forgetting the urge of having a cig before going to sleep) but also relaxes you and helps you fall asleep much quicker. In the mornings though, you could do some exercise such as jogging or if you have a dog walking it. I know it sounds like a lot of work but exercise + quitting smoking is so good plus although you might feel its tiring to start, you will end up loving it.

Best of luck! x