Quitting smoking is probably one of the hardest undertakings that anyone has or ever will attempt. Many people report that giving up cigarettes has been harder on them than giving up illegal drugs!
So when you have success in your program, it’s important that you allow yourself some rewards along the way, to remind yourself of your accomplishment and to spur you to continue on.
While you have your pen and paper out, make a list of ways you can reward yourself, and be sure you include affordable ways and those that are a bit more indulgent as well. Correlate these to goals you have for smoking cessation.
For example, the first week is usually the hardest, so do something small every day. Your first full day without a cigarette, pick up a copy of a favorite magazine. One day two, rent a video, and so on.
After two weeks without smoking, get a long massage. After a month, buy yourself that new jacket you’ve had your eyes on.
By continuing to reward yourself you’ll also realize why you have new reason to feel proud of yourself and your self-esteem will grow; this in turn will help with those negative emotions you’re trying to control as well.