Cognitive Quit Smoking

Things I’ve Learned From Quitting the Smokes:
~~~~ I’ve learned of many benefits to quitting the smokes. What
reason do you have to quit? Take your pick from many…
Improved overall health (reduced risk of lung cancer, emphysema,
esophagus cancer, throat cancer, etc.)
Smellin’ better. Remember those commercials “gee, your hair smells
terrific!” Now, it does, especially right after a shampoo. And don’t
forget the fresher breath. Oh, and here’s one motivator I just
started thinking of the past year. What if I get one of these kinds
of cancer and have to have chemotherapy or some kind of therapy that
makes my hair fall out? I’m vain about my hair so that worked for me.
Lookin’ better. Whiter teeth. Healthier skin color. Less wrinkles.
Addiction. The biggee. Not being a slave to a poisonous pacifier.
Just the thought of it makes me so mad - how I used to have to stop
in the middle of everything (work, time with loved ones, etc.) to

have a smoke. I would even let my babies cry an extra few minute in
their cribs just so I could finish that smoke. How many of you will
admit to that?
Shall I go on? There’s plenty more, some that aren’t as widely known
such as improved night vision, improved circulation, how about
improved skin flexibility (do you know that some doctors refuse to do
reconstructive surgery such as breast implants after a mastectomy if
the woman has been a long time smoker because the surgery will most
probably won’t “take” because the skin is no longer supple enough to
conform to the surgery?).
~~~~ I’ve learned that, for me, I had to selfishly put aside a lot of
time for quitting. This was a major undertaking for me. I’ve put in
many hours of relearning my thinking and reading information. I
stopped a good portion of my socializing and drinking for months
until I was ready to face the world again as a Person Who Does Not
Smoke. OK, for those of you who are saying, “well, I don’t have that
kind of time” - frankly, you do. Use the time that you used to spend
smoking.
~~~~ I learned that communication with family and close friends are
important - although my family and friends got tired of listening to
me talk about quitting the smokes, they at least had an idea of what
I was going through so they would try to support me (amid the rolling
of eyes and long heavy sighs).
~~~~ I’ve learned that nicotine takes away the natural chemical in
our bodies that fights depression. That’s why so many people become
depressed when they quit. It takes a while for the body to develop
that natural anti-depressant again, and some people never get it
back.
~~~~ I’ve learned that in the time between the many life events that
sparks an urge for a smoke and to the time that I put a cigarette to
my lips, there was a thought process where I chose to smoke (most
times lasting a split second). I’ve learned how to change that
thought process through cognitive thinking. This method is the way
that I learned HOW to quit through practice and proactive exercises.
Cognitive thinking has affected other aspects of my life also. My
relationship with my children and my husband have never been better
(after we got through those first few months ;-))
~~~~ Along the same vein, I have also learned that life did not
change so much with my quitting the smokes, just my responses have
changed. Life seems better but there are still days that suck, bad
news that rock my little world, and conflicts that need facing.
~~~~ I’ve learned that when I was smoking, I was in a state of
denial, thinking that smoking actually helped relieve stress. I
couldn’t admit to myself that a good part of the stress was simply
having to ‘top up’ my level of nicotine. I came to understand that
smoking has little to do with relieving stress.
~~~~ I’ve learned that there are people out there who are willing to
help and support my quit; I’ve learned how to ask for that help and
support. And I hope that I am returning that support when I am able.
~~~~ I’ve learned that if I can do this, then I can do practically
anything. This was not an easy thing to accomplish. It’s simple but
never easy (just don’t smoke). Having gotten this far in my quit
(and knowing that I’m done as far as ever having to quit again) has
raised my self-confidence like nothing else ever has.
~~~~ I’ve learned I can’t live other people’s lives for them. I can
try to pick them up and prop them up for a little while, but if I
keep standing there supporting them, then I’m going to starve myself
because I’m not going anywhere to feed myself. Another way to look
at it…, to quote Will Rogers, “You may be on the right track, but
you’ll get run over if you just stand there.” I’m not saying to not
support others who are trying to quit, almost just the opposite. By
going out there into that non-smoking world, I’m able to come back
and report that Hey, it’s a pretty cool place!! Come on, you can do
it - join me!!
~~~~ I’ve learned that the pats on the back and hugs for my
accomplishments still feel good, but I shouldn’t expect others who
have not been through quitting this habit to understand. And why
should they? They are not the ones who chose an addiction, I am.
It’s almost like the two kids in the family who are different. One
is good, takes care of himself, exercises his body and mind. The
other may be a good person but made the choice to smoke, or drink to
excess, or take drugs. She made that choice. Now, she has kicked
that habit, and everyone is congratulating her which is a good
thing. Positive reinforcement works. But the good kid is left
standing there thinking “Wow, what is the fuss all about? I’ve been
good all my life but the bad kids gets all the kudos. There’s
something wrong with this picture.” So if I feel a little down
because people in my life don’t remember every anniversary, I try to
remember to look at the reason from another perspective.
~~~~ I’ve learned that a sense of humor and a sense of caring can go
a long way in helping someone get through those urges at times.
And last but most importantly
~~~~ I’ve learned that I love myself more than I love cigarettes. :-
)
And that’s the name of that tune
- Cat
“Your life is the sum result of all the choices you make, both
consciously and unconsciously. If you can control the process of
choosing, you can take control of all aspects of your life. You can
find the freedom that comes from being in charge of yourself.” -
- Robert F. Bennett

This entry was posted on Saturday, February 19th, 2005 at 2:55 am and is filed under . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.