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50 WAYS TO TAKE A BREAK Cancel The title field is required!

1. buttingout2014

   

   52 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   29 Nov 2017

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   50 WAYS TO TAKE A BREAK:

   
   
   1.  Buy some flowers
   2.  Call a friend
   3.  Climb a tree
   4.  Colour with crayons
   5.  Create your own coffee break
   6.  Do some gentle stretches
   7.  Drive somewhere new
   8.  Eat a meal in silence
   9.  Engage in small acts of kindness
   10.  Examine an everyday object with fresh eyes
   11.  Find a relaxing scent
   12.  Fly a kite
   13.  Forgive someone
   14.  Give thanks
   15.  Go for a run
   16.  Go to a farmer's market
   17.  Go to a park
   18.  Learn something new
   19.  Let go of something
   20.  Let out a sigh
   21.  Light a candle
   22.  Listen to guided relaxation
   23.  Listen to music
   24.  Listen to some music and dance
   25.  Make some music
   26.  Meander around town
   27.  Meditate
   28.  Move twice as slowly
   29.  Notice your body
   30.  Paint on a surface other than paper
   31.  Pet a furry creature
   32.  Read a book
   33.  Read poetry
   34.  Read or watch something funny
   35.  Rest your legs up on a wall
   36.  Sit in nature
   37.  Take a bath
   38.  Take a bike ride
   39.  Take a nap
   40.  Take deep belly breaths
   41.  Turn off all electronics
   42.  View some art
   43.  Visit a body of water
   44.  Visit the Smoker's Helpline website
   45.  Walk outside
   46.  Watch the clouds
   47.  Watch the stars
   48.  Write a letter
   49.  Write a poem
   50.  Write in a journal
   
   This was an excerpt from a post at the old Smoker's Helpline...
   Hopefully, you'll find some things to be helpful in your quit!
   
   Your QUIT buddy, Jim.
2. paul, quit coach

   

   22 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   29 Nov 2017 in reply to buttingout2014

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   Thank you for bringing this forward to the new site buttingout2014.
   
   It's amazing how many things we have time to do when we no longer waste it smoking. It's also eye opening to see how often people struggle with that extra time initially; and so a thread like this is awesome.
   
   One day at a time.
   Paul
3. dawn58

   

   1 posts
   Registered:
   04 Dec 2017
   14 Dec 2017 in reply to buttingout2014

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   Good Morning, I'm struggling how to keep my hands busy. I would love to have something in my hand thats my biggest problem. Any help with this I've tried sucking on suckers eating in different rooms where I am not smoking. This action from fingers to mouth movement is driving me crazy. Please help
4. valerie, quit coach

   

   46 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   14 Dec 2017

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   Hello dawn58,
   
   Knowing yourself best, think of any objects or gadgets that you can keep on you to occupy your hands.
   Here are some suggestions / ideas that might help you come up with a plan and maybe other members will post some of their own suggestions as well.
   
   - Cut a straw in half: helps with the motion, it can be chewed on or inhale into as well
   - Toothpicks, pen, bottle of water
   - Healthy snakes: like carrots, celeries, or mix nuts
   
   I hope you are able to try different techniques and find what works best for you.
   
   Have a nice day,
   Valerie
   
5. brieffree

   

   1478 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   14 Dec 2017

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   Hi valerie
   For me, after lunch or dinner or eat whatever I use to smoke. But I do not have that urge anymore. Instead I Eat Grated Carrot with a spoon of sugar in a Vol is my treat after any meal! is healthy and I eat more vegetables .
   
6. efram, quit coach

   

   242 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   06 Mar 2019

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   Bumping this -- so many great ideas for healthy, relaxing and fun breaks!
7. mari_m

   

   92 posts
   Registered:
   03 Jan 2019
   29 Mar 2019 in reply to efram, quit coach

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   Efram, thanks for bumping this forward. I have checked it many times when I ran out of ideas on my own. When I thought I had tried everything to keep myself busy, I always find something new on this list. My favourite one is #26. I tried it and it really helped me through a rather trying time! And it seemed like it was so fun not to plan anything, just meander! I would like to add one that has also helped me many times, and that is to think of 3 things to be grateful for. Even if you can't decide which 3 to pick, apparently just thinking about it is a great distraction! And its hard to feel sorry for yourself when you are feeling grateful. Anyone else have any ideas to add to this list? Or do you have any favourite ones?  Would love to hear from you  - m
8. efram, quit coach

   

   242 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   10 Apr 2019

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   Mari_m, you're most welcome! And thanks for adding to the list! Thinking of things for which to be grateful is such a positive distraction. That makes 51!
   
   Since you asked, I'll share a few more ideas:
   
   52. Learn or practice new yo-yo tricks
   53. Blow bubbles with a bubble wand
   
   Who else has ideas to add?
   
   Regards,
   Efram

   Last modified on 10 Apr 2019 14:50 by efram, quit coach
9. lisa marie 67

   

   26 posts
   Registered:
   08 Mar 2020
   14 Mar 2020 in reply to efram, quit coach

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   I heard on a tv show that if you blow bubbles it is the right amount of air and blowing that strengthen the lungs ,so sometimes because i keep forgetting to buy bubbles i just pretend im doing it to help me get stronger
10. kattmagg

    

    1 posts
    Registered:
    12 Jan 2020
    26 Mar 2020

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    Hello - I’m Katt and I quit on Monday the 23rd using Champix.
    good suggestions for taking a break. Today I am restless and nothing seems to do it for me. 
    It’s the ‘break’ and morning routine that’s difficult for me. 
    how did some of you change your mornings? 
    thanks 
11. brieffree

    

    1478 posts
    Registered:
    28 Nov 2017
    27 Mar 2020 in reply to kattmagg

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    Hi Kattmagg
    
    What works with me in the morning, was to take a shower as soon you wake up, do your staff. That will get your mind and body buzzy for a wile, also to drink a glass of water in the morning give you the energy you need.
    
    I hope it helps, hang in there! you are doing great! Try to crate ways to keep your mind buzzy in something healthy for you. Be nice with your self!
    
    You can do it!