After you have made the lifesaving decision to quit smoking, you may have noticed a few gaps forming in your life. After all, your daily routine had revolved around taking puffs off cigarettes or purchasing your next pack, so you are bound to hit a few empty pockets of air on your flight to freedom. Nevertheless, even if you did have a busy life prior to smoking, how are you going to find ways to cope with this major loss? Dropping cigarettes is pretty much like cutting off a limb, in layman’s terms. Let’s take a closer look at how you can fill gaps in your life after you quit smoking for good.
From a Pack a Day to Nothing
Even if you aren’t a former chain smoker, you can probably understand the stress of going from one pack of cigarettes in a day to nothing at all. Filling your life with cigarettes can put a damper on greater and, obviously, healthier activities in your life. Let’s also not forget how the immense amount of toxins and poisons contained in burnt tobacco can put your health and longevity at risk. Unfortunately, some people will turn to binge eating to replace binge smoking, which can also ruin a potentially healthy lifestyle.
Just Have Fun with Your Life
If we could give you the best advice for what to do after you quit smoking, we can tell you to think about your childhood days. Take some new chances and have some fun with your life. There are plenty of ways to do it. Consider taking on a new hobby or going back to college. Perhaps you have always wanted to visit a new place or meet new people. Everything can change when you allow “having fun” to become your new chronic habit. Here are some examples of replacements for cigarette gaps:
- Completing a jigsaw puzzle
- Start exercising
- Take up martial arts
- Pick up the pencil and start writing poetry
- Take a cooking class
- Take classes to learn a second (or third) language
- Create a photo album
- Adopt a furry, feathered, or scaly friend
- Don’t forget to socialize!
Seeking Treatment for Cigarette Use
Remember that addiction can be triggered by one shot of alcohol or a single puff of a cigarette, but the true danger of this sickness is that you cannot fully determine how much you have to consume before your mind forms an attachment. Social smoking is just as dangerous as chronic smoking, on many levels, but you do not have to smoke to have a good time. Remember, drugs cannot determine if you have fun and do not have control over your life.
If you are suffering from a severe case of drug abuse or addiction, or have a friend or loved one who is coping with this illness, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process of alcohol withdrawal and detox and guide you along the rocky road of rehabilitation. Soon enough, you will experience a faster and much more efficient recovery.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your mental illness and take an extra step toward becoming a healthier person.