The Giving Up Smoking Thread!!

System

I think I have worked out why I can't stop, Hopefully some of you's can advise.

I should give up but don't want to for the following reasons, Smoking gives me a break at work, I'll pop out for 5 min every hour or 2, it breaks the boredom of my job. I hate social situations, going out for a smoke gives me a 5 min break from that and 5 min to myself. I'm scared the withdrawl will make me depressed as I have been depressed before and never want to go back to that dark place. Its not that I enjoy smoking, Its the reasons above

basilcat7

Hi Nireland guy
I used to go out for a cigarette at work to relieve boredom too and have a break. I don't miss that at all- what I do instead is make a cup of tea or take a wander over to my friend for a brief chat- anything for a quick break.
All I can say is- if you do want to give up- the people on here will be a HUGE help towards getting there... it has helped me immensly (sp?) and still is...I now feel soooo proud of myself for reaching this far- every morning I get a massive rush looking ay the calender and crossing off another day....

Thanks to JoeHel for your message about last night.....
No booze tonight- this'll be a breeze !!! x

melbury

My ciggie breaks at work consisted of one at 11.00am - which was actually my first cig of the day - and one at 4.30pm. There used to be three of us who smoked and that made it much more of social event having other people to chat to while we enjoyed our puff. In the end it was just me on my own standing outside in the cold and wet, so not really that enjoyable. Don't really miss the work ones at all, it is the home ones that I crave!

tattycath

Hi Nirelandguy. I know where you are coming from regarding being depressed. I have suffered from depression. It is a very dark place. I have not been depressed for a long time now as I adopt a pma. Sometimes it's very difficult to be positive but I know the sign and when I feel I'm slipping into somewhere dark I somehow find the strength to pull myself up by my bootstraps and focus on the positives I have in life. I used to smoke and when depressed, I used to chain smoke. You can live very well without cigarettes and without slipping into depression too.

JoeHel

Well I used to have my first ciggie within 15 minutes of waking up. When I lived alone, I would smoke BEFORE I GOT OUT OF BED!!

Then a second before I left the house
one on my walk to the train station
one on my walk from Liverpool Str Station to work
one at 10am
one at 11am
out for sarnie at 12 ... could sometimes squeeze 3 into half an hour...
one at 1.30
one at 3pm
one at 4pm
leave work at 5pm ... one on walk to station
one on walk from station to home
then 10-15 during the evening. More if I was out drinking.

So I wasn't exactly a part-time smoker and yes - I was DREADING missing out on my breaks at work!! Instead of smoking I've got up and made a drink or even gone outside for a walk around the building. You don't have to stop having a break! It's just nice to not HAVE to take a break if you're in the middle of something that you want to finish.

I can't remember off the top of my head where the stuff was on depression but I will find it in a bit (cooking dinner at the mo!) There is evidence that smoking actually WORSENS any depression .. something to do with dopramine and seratonin in the brain being triggered or stopped by the chemicals in ciggies?? I will stop now because I can't remember it properly and don't want to mis-quote BUT the crux of the article was that quitting can help lift your mood for lots of reasons.

System

Well I'm going to give it another go, from now on I am a none smoker, I'm just going to have to meet these cravings head on and get them over and done with

MJay

I have been quiet 'cos felt a bit sad...

Shouted that I hit Day 10 yesterday morning and only Basilcat said "Well Done...."

I felt childish that I had that reaction and even more so now admitting it.....

Nirelandguy, there are lots of reasons not to give up, we all have them. Depression can come for a number of reasons at this time of year, not just packing in smoking. Don't let these bits get in the way if you are ready to try. Can you get on the Net at work? If so, contact this group instead of popping out...

Is it worth looking at your overall life and checking out other jobs if this one isn't good for you.....

Sending best wishes.

System

MJay wrote: »

Melbury
I have been quiet 'cos felt a bit sad...

Shouted that I hit Day 10 yesterday morning and only Basilcat said "Well Done...."

I felt childish that I had that reaction and even more so now admitting it.....

Nirelandguy, there are lots of reasons not to give up, we all have them. Depression can come for a number of reasons at this time of year, not just packing in smoking. Don't let these bits get in the way if you are ready to try. Can you get on the Net at work? If so, contact this group instead of popping out...

Is it worth looking at your overall life and checking out other jobs if this one isn't good for you.....

Sending best wishes.

Its not the job, everyone at work has there little sneeky breaks, some go and just sit in the toilet for no particular reason, some go and float around the coffee machine, and some just randomly dissapear for 10 mins, so I have pleanty of options instead of going for a sneeky smoke

basilcat7

Hi MJay !!!!
Don't worry I think we are all extremely proud of each other and of ourselves !! each of us are travelling on our own journey (oooh get me) and we are all on different days....

I had an awful day of cravings yesterday but they have all gone today.. I think if I recognise that it is going to happen I know how to deal with them and ride it out.

Well, I'm on Day 12 - everyone else??:D

JoeHel

MJay wrote: »

I have been quiet 'cos felt a bit sad...

Shouted that I hit Day 10 yesterday morning and only Basilcat said "Well Done...."

I felt childish that I had that reaction and even more so now admitting it.....

Nirelandguy, there are lots of reasons not to give up, we all have them. Depression can come for a number of reasons at this time of year, not just packing in smoking. Don't let these bits get in the way if you are ready to try. Can you get on the Net at work? If so, contact this group instead of popping out...

Is it worth looking at your overall life and checking out other jobs if this one isn't good for you.....

Sending best wishes.

Sorry MJay, 10 days is a brilliant achievement (11 is even better ) but if I don't get on in the morning there's sometimes a whole page to catch up on by the time I do get in here and I lose track. You deserve a massive WELL DONE for 10 days. KEEP GOING!

I know - it's funny. It's like the BIGGEST thing we have ever done and it's all we think about for the first few days/weeks and yet everyone else is just carrying on with their lives like it's a normal day!! I remember going shopping and going to buy Joe's tobacco and I almost said to the woman that I wouldn't be needing the usual B&H gold because I'd quit! LIKE SHE'D CARE! heh heh. But you're right - on here we absolutely DO care and it's great to have another member in the Quitter's Club! But you've got to remember that you are doing it for YOU and nobody else.