There is a scientific basis for feeling that smoking relaxes and calms you. Nicotine has this affect on you physically, and it’s true that if your hands are busy, you’re less likely to be anxious. The body works off nervous tension through activity.
If you’ve used smoking to alleviate anxiety, boredom, tension, or some other negative emotion, it’s time to face these things head-on and learn new, healthier ways of coping. Here are some tips.
Make a plan.
You’re done eating dinner and are suddenly overwhelmed with exhaustion from your day at work or dealing with the kids. Normally you would light up a cigarette while you take a few minutes to relax. Now that you want to quit, what will you do?
Or, you’re heading into the office and have a few minutes in the car before you get there. You’re anxious about your job – as everyone is – and usually have a cigarette on the way. Now what?
Go back to the list you made previously about where and when you light up and see how many times you’re smoking to relieve anxiety, boredom, frustration, or any of these other negative emotions. Now think about what you can do to get around these things while quitting.
For example, after dinner you’ll go for that walk, or call a friend, read a few pages of your favorite novel, or soak in a hot bath. On the way to work, you’ll use this time to mentally prepare yourself for the day – by being more prepared, you’re less likely to be stressed.
Make a list.
What are some stress-relieving things that you enjoy doing or may be interested in learning? How about yoga or meditation? What are some hobbies that maybe you’ve abandoned that you once enjoyed, such as painting, reading, knitting, needlepoint, carpentry, working on car engines, model building, scrapbooks, making your own jewelry, and the like?
Get some paper and a pen right now and write out all the things you can do to help you get through the times of tension and boredom that are just part of everyday life, and that you know are going to aggravated when you stop smoking.
And don’t worry about what other people might think of these things, such as if you want to take up knitting or model building. This is for you and your goals, not for other people to approve or disapprove of.