How to stay away from smoking!!

[LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN]

I quit smoking two years ago for my health and for school. I didn't want to be sick all the time or worried about when I am getting my next smoke.

I am having a hard time in the stress of school staying away from it. I need suggestions ASAP on how former smokers made it through school without turning back to it.

I do not want to be a smoker AT ALL but dear god if the stress of this isn't enough to make you go insane. Plus, I do not want to have to go through quitting again when I graduate so I can get hired in a hospital (all smoke free). I am already on wellbuitrin for PPD and it isn't doing much for cravings. I have been so disappointed in myself for slipping

To quit the first time, I posted pictures of people with lung cancer (the CDC campagin, not patient pictures!) in my car, back porch, etc to help me last time and it's not having the same effect this time

how i wish a pill would be invented so you could forget you ever smoked after you quit.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

On your bathroom mirror. A sign. "I am not going to die of lung cancer or COPD today or any day. Now pat yourself on the back for keeping your committment to never smoke again. "

[LifeIsBeachy, BSN, RN]

I quit smoking a few years back, but you know what I kept saying to myself? There's never going to be a "perfect" time to quit. School will be stressful, your job will be stressful, life in general is stressful. You need to motivate yourself somehow--looking at pictures of lung cancer isn't going to do it. For me it was all personal achievements: I want to be able to run around with my future kids. I want to be able to sing, even when I'm old. I want to smell nice in front of other people. All these things add up in my brain to avoid picking up another cigarette.

Also, break habits if you have them. I used to always have a cigarette with coffee. Hardest thing in the world to break, but instead I forced myself to be distracted while I had my cup of coffee (read the news on my phone, listen to music). Habits die hard eventually if you have the willpower. :)

[direw0lf, BSN]

I've never been a smoker so I can't fully know what the addiction feels like but what would stop me ever ever from smoking is that I refuse to give money, money that I worked for, to those who contributed to the painful early deaths of people and animals (animal testing). What else can you do to cope with the stress? Maybe a new hobby..my friend learned how to knit and made hats for soldiers.

[VicChic20]

Realize how far you've come and how good it feels not smoking and smelling bad and having it take over your life. You're a champion for fighting thru this and let the urges go by. Understand that urges come and go but act like they are clouds floating by. You're stronger than you know