Valentine's 2008
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Don't Touch This Fact Sheet...unless you are looking for some suggestions to stay tobacco free! Gotcha.
Now that's the way tobacco and nicotine will grab you. You're determined to stay quit, you've made all the right moves, and you're on the road to a long life and good health, but then there's a road block. Cravings. Cigarette or chew cravings can stop you in your tracks, but if you are prepared and well equipped, you can reach into your duffel bag of tricks and make this enemy disappear.
- Keep a stash of sugarless gum or sugarless candy to give you a boost of flavor.
- Eat some healthy snacks, such as sunflower seeds, carrots, celery sticks, or green or red pepper slices. Just chopping up the veggies will keep you busy until the craving subsides.
- Take a hike, walk, or a run. Exercise is a great way to resist the urge.
- Keep some flavored toothpicks or colorful straws handy. You can chew on one while you convince yourself that you don't need a smoke.
- Grab a crossword puzzle or Suduko, or hop on a video game and get busy. You'll be preoccupied and you might gain a few extra IQ points in the process.
- Keep a quitter's journal and record your urges. Just picking up a pen or typing may be all you need to keep your mind and your hands busy.
- Rearrange your routines so that instead of eating and then dealing with a post-meal craving, you eat, then make a phone call, or engage in a hobby. That may trick your brain into moving past the temptation.
- Make a craving piggy bank and put a quarter in the slot every time you think you want a cigarette. You'll be surprised how soon you'll have enough money for something really worthwhile.
- Tell yourself, "I have not smoked/dipped/chewed for ____ days and I'm not going to blow it now!"
- Put the power of positive thinking on your team. Visualize all the benefits of a healthy life free of tobacco. Take deep breaths and feel the clean air filling your lungs.
- Remind yourself of the reasons you decided to quit and then refuse the urge to give in.
- Count to 10, 20, 30..whatever it takes to take your mind off the urge long enough to help it pass.