Post by Ann on Jun 16, 2004 11:53:22 GMT -5
1. Remove all firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, power tools, kitchen utensils,
golf clubs or
other dangerous items from your home. For their own protection, young children and
incontinent pets
should also be removed, if possible.
2. During the first 5-14 days of your quit, you will notice an improvement in your
sense of smell. This
change may be sudden and dramatic. You may want to avoid any areas known for
strong odors during
this time. You may also discover that your home is one of those areas. Allow 1-3
hours per day for
scrubbing an obscure corner of your home in an effort to remove the mystery smell.
3. One effective technique for reducing stress is the recitation of a mantra. Your
mantra for the next
few weeks will be: "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean that. I just quit smoking."
4. If you drink the recommended 8 glasses of water each day, you will need to remain
within 150 feet of
a lavatory during the first 3 weeks of your quit.
5. Many cessation experts recommend you keep a diary of your experience as you
quit. A written
record of your inability to control your emotions, words and actions may be useful
later on during any
criminal or civil proceedings. You may also want to discuss with your attorney which
homicidal or other
violent fantasies about your spouse, employer or local politician should not be
recorded in that journal.
6. Many people find driving a car is a major trigger of smoking urges. If it is practical,
you may want to
consider using public transportation during the early part of your quit. If you must
drive, carry gum,
mints, cassette tapes of soothing music, a small rubber ball to squeeze in one hand,
extra kleenex for
crying jags, a roll of duct tape for swearing jags, and extra toll fare change in the
event that your aim is
affected by the spasmodic trembling in your hands. Again, all firearms should be
removed from the
vehicle. You may also want to keep your journal handy to hand to the highway patrol
officer in the event
of an accident or traffic offense, since uncontrollable sobbing may prevent you from
speaking clearly at
that moment.
7. Whatever you do, DO NOT LOSE YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR.
quitnet, CelticCrone
