When you quit smoking, you're going to go through some rough waters. It's going to be uncomfortable and you're going to have to get used to another way of living. It really is a lifestyle choice. There is no doubt about that. So you're going to go through changes that will affect you physically and emotionally.
When you have a bad day at work, do you come home to fight with your spouse so you can have more stress? Most people don't. It's the same with quitting. You are going to have bad days and the last thing you'll need is more negativity that will bring you down further.
Instead, take care of yourself. Be good to yourself and show yourself a little compassion for a change. You're going through a rough time and you need a little pampering. Now I realize everyone is different, and so I'm aware that 'pampering' means different things to different folks. So I've included a nice smattering of things you can do to show yourself a little kindness and give yourself a little comfort for those times you'll need it the most.
Get Into The Groove
My absolute favorite pastime is to sit back with a cup of tea, or whatever, and listen to my favorite music in the comfort of my living room. Sometimes, I'll shut the lights and light candles. Anything that sets the mood for a 'kick back and relax' good time.
Of course you don't have to go full out candles. Just do it in a way that feels right for you. It also helps if your stereo sounds sweet. Mine can be had for under $500, so it doesn't have to be pricey either.
I also would recommend you stay away from alcohol for the first three months of your quit. For now, stick to herbal teas and mild coffees. Really, you can drink anything you want. Just stay away from the booze because it increases your urge to smoke, it tends to make you forget the first ingredient, and it's a depressant, so you'll feel like smoking the next day.
Exercise
Exercise is great if you're into it. It can take the form of sports or taking a bike ride in a scenic park. It's great because you feel great when you're done, which is why so many people stay active.
They say you eat more when you quit smoking and, as a result, you gain weight. This was never true for me, but then again, I've always had a healthy appetite. If there is any truth to it, you can rely on exercise to keep burning those calories. Just an added bonus.
A Night Out
Call up your best friend, or grab your wife, and treat yourself to a nice dinner at your favorite restaurant. It doesn't even have to be fancy. It could be the local burger joint. What matters is you're in good company and preferably with someone who will listen to you vent your frustrations. What could be better than this? Okay, sex could be better, but I always wanted a cigarette after sex. Let's just stick with the night out for now.
As an added bonus, you'll have extra cash for this night out because you're not spending it on cigarettes anymore. Voila! You quit smoking and all of the sudden, new possibilities open up for you.
Hmm, prime rib dinner, or sex? That's a tough one.
Watch A Flick
Whether you stay in or go out, you can watch a movie to kill a couple hours while you're riding a craving. While you're at it, watch a movie that's either really involving or really funny, or both. Either will keep your mind off the smokes and you'll have a good time doing it.
Comfort Food
My comfort food is Buffalo style chicken wings. I'm a purist and I will only eat the original recipe. I don't touch those fancy flavored wings. I just don't enjoy them as much.
For you, it might be your mom's chili, or hubby's sloppy joes. Whatever it is, it's a great way to be kind to yourself and to treat yourself to something nice and familiar. You're learning how to live without cigarettes, so it's nice to have something familiar and comfortable to get you through the rough times.
Game Night
Nothing spells a great time like game night with your friends. If they smoke, so be it. They'll most likely ask you how you're doing so well and you'll tell them about this awesome book. Did I mention it's also a great conversation piece?
Anyway, game night will keep you laughing your gut out all night long. It's wicked fun and I highly recommend it because it keeps your mind off your quit.
Meditation
This one definitely isn't for everyone, and at the same time I wish everyone would try it. It's one of those things that takes time to get used to, and in the beginning there is a lot to get used to. It can be frustrating to newbies and so I can only recommend it to experienced practitioners.
If you practice regularly, you already know how it calms the mind and brings you a sense of peace and tranquility. It's for this reason I recommend it to the regulars.
If you're new to meditation, I would recommend you at least wait until you're a couple months into your quit. The last thing you want is more aggravation when you really need comfort.
Rubber Ducky
Turn on the taps and pour the bubble bath. Light some candles if you like, and maybe play some music, preferably away from the bathtub. If you really need the radio close to the tub, smoking is not your biggest problem. I'm just saying.
This is a great way to relieve stress and lose yourself while you let go of the pains of the day. It's even better if you have someone to share it with. Rubber ducky, you're the one...
Call Mom
Call your mom if you can and tell her your woes. If this isn't possible, call your best friend, your sibling, your dad, anyone who you know will listen to you. There's no shame in telling someone you're having a rough day and need some help in getting through it. Guess what? They're human too and they will understand.
Besides that, getting in touch with a loved one is very grounding and uplifting at the same time. Think of it as a life line. It's there, so use it.
Read
If novels are your thing, do it. Better yet, read a really sad story about someone who dies of lung cancer or a smoker who dies of a heart attack. Just throwing it out there. The main thing is to read something that will either completely take your mind off of cigarettes, or scare the crap out of you so you never smoke again.
You can even read while listening to soft music and sipping tea or coffee. Go to the coffee shop and read. Maybe you'll even meet someone who reads the same type of books and you'll make a new friend. Hey, it has happened.
Punch It
If you're too manly to do any of these sissy things, take your frustrations out on a punching bag. It doesn't even have to be a bag. It can be a pillow, your mattress or a couch. If you have an inflatable mattress, blow it up and lean it up against the wall. Then punch it, kick it, spit at it, whatever. Just let it go.
When you're done venting, light some candles, make a cup of tea, slip into the bubble bath with Whitney Houston in the CD player and enjoy. It'll be our little secret (nudge nudge wink wink).
Go To The Forum
This is by no means your last resort. Actually, it's an excellent life line to have and it's always available. If you go to www.quitnet.com, a place where you'll never find the Soul Slayer, you will find a forum and a chat where people are always ready to help you through a craving.
I used it when I quit, and I still go today to help other people with their quit. And the forum and chat are both free. They do have paid services, but you are under no obligation to use them. It's a no-brainer. It's there, it's free, and it works. Just use it.
Another nice thing about QuitNet is when you register, it asks you things like your quit date, how many cigarettes you would smoke in a day, how much you paid for a pack and so on. Then when you sign in, you will get daily stats like how many days you've been quit, how much of your life you've saved, how much money you've saved and so on. You can even have the stats emailed to you daily. It's actually done quit well and I highly recommend it.