Learning to be a non-smoker
When quitting smoking, many people think that the risk of relapse ends when their daily cravings diminish. The transition to becoming a non-smoker, however, typically takes more than just a few weeks.
When you stop smoking two things need to happen — you need to learn to think like a non-smoker and act like a non-smoker. In order to “own” your smoke-free life, you need to grow into the non-smoker personae, and like anything in life, this requires a learning process.
In learning to think like a non-smoker, it’s important to identify your beliefs about how cigarettes are beneficial to you. Do you think smoking makes you relax or deal better with stress? Do you believe that it helps you manage your weight? Or keeps you from getting bored? Try challenging those beliefs with new thoughts, such as:
* Smoking won’t make the stress go away; it won’t fix the problem.
* The cigarette doesn’t make me thin; there are healthier ways to manage my weight.
* I can find interesting things to do other than smoke; I’m open to trying something new.
Create your variation of these ideas so you can begin to debunk your personal stories about how the cigarettes do you good.
This will help you act like a non-smoker. Try different coping strategies for the times you’re used to smoking. When you find what works for you, establish a new lifestyle so you can truly transition into being a non-smoker.
As you progress, you’ll be faced with old smoking situations, but now without the cigarette. Be patient and know that it’s normal to have thoughts of smoking months and even years after becoming smoke-free. Your long-term goal is to rejoice in a life without cigarettes. Focus on the rewards of being smoke-free and embrace the belief that there’s no benefit in returning to smoking.
Please share your thoughts on the transition to living smoke-free.
By Jennifer A. Kern, Oct. 23, 2009
