You are making progress. You were able to go to your sons graduation and found out you would not pass out. I am glad to hear it went OK. You should be proud of yourself and your son on this wonderful day. It good to hear you are going to quit smoking on Monday. Maybe you will get so rest then..... Well I have go to sign off now. I have some exposure work I need to do today and can't get it done if I am online all day. Its Out of the house for me and off to do some walking or swimming. Good luck Monday with your quit and Wednesday with your Dr. visit.
I have been doing the 10 questions list. I went to my sons graduation today and at the beginning it was OK, we did not go in the auditorium because it was standing room only and it was hot. There were people outside with us ( my daughter went with me) and I kept telling myself you know most of the people here, you are not going to pass out. My daughter did get the car though and when I got to the car I was shaking. I had to go in the school to get a paper to sign my youngest up for a program for next year. In there I did get nervous but it was OK. Now I am just shaky and sooo tired.
I know when I am not smoking I feel less anxiety so Monday is the day. I just want to feel better and would love to sleep until the bad parts are over
In answer to your question I am feeling much better not smoking. It has made a huge difference for me in my anxiety levels.
I also use the 10 question list found in the chapter on challenging your anxious and negative thoughts which is on this panic site in your tool box. I have been working the program for 5 months now and when I got my anxious and negative thoughts under control a little better and starting feeling better I decided to quit smoking. Getting the nicotine out of my system made a huge difference for me. So to make a short story long LOL I am feeling much much better already. I do have to continue to use the 10 questions list and I am still doing exposure work. Once you do something you are afraid of it is easier next time. I am Agoraphobic and it is something I will have to keep working on for a long time, maybe forever and thats ok because I have the tools to do that I have gotten from this program. I would encourage to start reading the program so that you can get a better understanding of anxiety then you will be able to take it on and start challenging your anxious and negative thoughts.
I did join that site as well. There is another site that I joined before on About.com that is good too for information. This one is different because it gives you the toolbox so I like that. The other one seems to always have someone on so for a craving that is good. Are you already feeling better not smoking?
Thank you for the congrats. Yes I finished my first quilt a baby quilt project and cut out the fabric for a new more complicated project on the last day of class. Class starts again in late August early Sept or I can go to summer school class on Fri or Sat from 8am to 3pm which is a little long for me haven't decided on that yet. I will start in Sept for sure and finish my new quilt or I just might start it on my own. The major focus for me now is getting out of the house and exercising and doing exposure work. I think this is where I will get the most benefit right now. Thank for asking.
Davit,
Thanks for the Congrats. It has been a journey. That is turning out to have a happy ending.
mammakim,
Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking again. It is interested how smoking agitates anxiety and makes it worse. They have a sister site here on the forum listed under More Help on the at the top of the page. If you click on it, it will give you a list of other group and forums. There is only called The stop smoking center that can help you with your quit if you need help. I thought you might like to know about the other sites. Their is one for depression, weight loss, stopping smoking and stopping drinking. If you are interested. Any way good luck on your quit. I think this it a great idea especially since you said you have less anxiety when are not smoking. This is a move in a positive direction.
It is great to hear that you have taken up a new endeavour to ensure that you are leaving the house and getting exposure daily. Did you end up finishing your quilt? Continue to stay strong with your smoking cessation journey and congratulations on 3 weeks! Keep your positive energy flowing and post often!
My quilting class ended about 2 weeks ago so I have taken up a new endeavor to make sure I leave the house and get some exposure on a daily basis. Other wise I might back slide and lose the ground I have gained. I have been leaving the house and going out to walk or do some form of exercise every day amongst the mases out there for the last week. It is getting easier and I am making progress. I am getting healthier both physically and mentally. I have less anxiety and am feeling even better about myself than I did before since I quit using nicotine. I am now able to breathe and walk at the same time and I am thinking much more clearly. Ashley did say that it was thought that nicotine increased anxiety and I have to say I agree with her now that I have been totally drug free for over 3 weeks now. Their is really no where to go but up from here. I find that if you keep at it and keep working the program and pushing yourself a little more each day you well continue to make progress and your life well get a little better each day. Please Never give up, keep working the program, you will get better and if meds help you than please take them. Well I am off for my walk now, Till next time.
