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The five minute rule Cancel The title field is required!

1. rowan

   

   33 posts
   Registered:
   14 May 2023
   03 Jan

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   I just started doing this when I am at home and have found it helpful during strong cravings. 
   
   I set a timer for five minutes and do a task around the house that is either on my to do list or something I’ve been procrastinating on and I do it for those five minutes. I usually end up finishing the task (going beyond the five minutes) and feel really good about it. Getting something done is more rewarding than smoking and is an awesome distraction. You could choose any activity for this but I find chores take all of my focus and I feel good about the accomplishment. 
2. lillian, quit coach

   

   221 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   21 Feb in reply to rowan

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   Hello rowan,
   
   I hope that you've continued in that vein! It can be applied not just to do a chore but as a way of delaying a cigarette, put on a five minute timer and try to do a chore, listen to a couple of songs, brush your teeth, whatever works to fill the time. 5 minutes is so manageable and then at the end of that, you can go ahead with whatever knowing that you did your best for 5!
   
   It is a really useful approach rowan, thanks for sharing this!