Be Good to Yourself!

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Be Good to Yourself!

If you've been working your way through the Quit Wizard, we hope you've had the chance to see how small rewards can lift your spirits and honor your accomplishments. Come back to this topic every so often to record the good things you're doing for yourself and to make plans for more! Looking further down the smoke-free road, perhaps it's time to think about your six-month or one-year celebration! ...

By quitting smoking you’re doing something really great, but it may not feel that way all the time. First—and most important—take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Get plenty of rest, eat healthy food, drink lots of water and other low-sugar, low-caffeine liquids. Allow yourself to pay attention to your own needs, to feel grouchy or down for a few days, or to ask for help. It takes hard work and commitment to quit. The payoff comes over time, but it can help to reward yourself now for not smoking. For example:

You could enjoy using the money you save each week to make small purchases that give you pleasure: a CD, some flowers
You could save that money until you can buy something big: a vacation, a new sound system, a canoe
You could reward yourself without spending money: an hour or so in a place you enjoy, a relaxing bath, a snooze on the hammock in the back yard, an extra half-hour in bed
Appreciating the fact that you don’t have to get up to deal with nicotine cravings can be one of the nicest rewards of all!


Here's how I'll reward myself for not smoking:

Buy a little gift for someone I care about (including me!).

Make a phone call to a far-away friend or family member.

Have the inside of my car shampooed.

Allow a little time every day for a hobby I never had time for.

Spend some extra time playing with my pet

Cook a good meal and share it with someone I enjoy being with.

Add up the time I spent each day smoking and give myself that time to do something fun or satisfying.

Use the money I save by not smoking to help a cause that's important to me.

Get a massage.

Open a Not Smoking savings account and start planning a vacation or a major purchase.

None of these apply to me.


My ideas:



We've said it before, and we'll say it again! Be good to yourself. You deserve it!

I like the idea of getting a message! In fact, for my two month anniversary, I may just do that!
What ideas can you add to this list?

Shalom!