Before you reach your quit date, try to understand what part of smoking actually satisfies you....

[EmJay]

Quite often, when somebody decides that they would like to give up smoking, they jump straight in at the deep end without giving much thought, if any - to what part of smoking they feel they will actually miss when quitting. It is quite useful to try and understand what it is that you think you enjoy about smoking, both physically and mentally. Here is a simple thought provoking exercise to try before your quit date;

1. Don't worry about stopping smoking but become really aware of each cigarette or roll up that you smoke and the whole process of smoking each individual one. What do you believe you really enjoy about it? Is it the making the roll up, getting the cigarette out of the packet, puffing the cigarette in or blowing it out?

2. Next, again without trying to stop, try and go for as long as you can without smoking. However when you feel that the craving is too much, really think about what it is that you are feeling... Does it feel physical? Is it in your tummy? In your chest? Does your mouth water? Does it feel more in your mind? Like you can't concentrate? Feeling a bit tense? Upset?

3. When you feel that you can't take anymore of this awful feeling, go and get your cigarettes.

4. Notice at which point does any part of this action take that awful feeling away. You may feel better once you pick up your cigarette packet... without even having to light your cigarette. The feeling may go when you take the first puff in, maybe when you blow it out. The feeling may not even go until you have finished smoking and put your cigarette out.

Only you are able to recognise and answer any of the above for yourself then you can work on the next step of moving towards your quit date.

The key to successfully stop smoking and staying stopped, is all in the thinking, planning and preparing beforehand.

You really can do this, so let’s start by taking just one step at a time

[thenunn]

emjay...ive just done ,sadly i had to do number 3..my first of the day at 18.40 so a massive improvement for me..but just couldnt bare the niggle any more. i did number 4 and for me it seemed to be the first puff,horrid as it was ,it appeared 'satisfyingly ' horrid..ive enjoyed not having any today for the most part,at times ive had a bad niggle and breathed myself through it..why could i not go the whole day ..5 hours short of 24..Im trying to undertsand why ,especially when I have felt more in control,enjoyed not having to spend time smoking,the yukky taste in my mouth..why then ? is it punishment,am not allowing myself to believe I can manage life without fags ? I wish id gone to sleep for a bit as i was/am tired ,cant smoke when asleep .

Anyway enough berating ..I have done well 1 is a long way from 20..i just want to make it none !!.

thanks for this article ,this site..I feel I will succeed ole nic is loosing his grip

jan

[Hidden]

Hi Jan,

Just think how much you have progressed since 20 a day! My motto is 'progress not perfection'

I am doing quite well not smoking at the moment, but it literally is one minute at a time.

I am not finding it easy, but if I can just get through today then perhaps tomorrow will be easier.

I wish I could go for a long sleep and wake up a non smoker. lol.

I keep doing my breathing as you advised and it does help while I am focusing on the breath, so thanks for that.

Andrea