[bluegirl2004]

feeling ok physically... am surprised I don't feel my body craving nicotine with every molecule. But am feeling empty and depressed. I think not having the self medication aspect will be the hardest to deal will. Any ideas how to fill the void? How to get through to a happier place?

[bluegirl2004]

Today is the first day I've felt close to normal in 5 years. Have suffered from depression, but never thought it was nicotine related. Feared the depression would worsen, but today it feels like it never existed... Has anyone overcome their depression by cessation? I know it's a slippery slope. almost relapsed last night... was on my way to the store, but exercised restraint. Today I am thankful for it. Am afraid to get my hopes up too high, this feeling could be short lived. Must be prepared for cravings and feeling down again.

[Cassier]

I find that smoking is nearly directly related to both my anxiety and depression problems. Imagine how much better your body feels after it gets all of that crud that's been weighing you down out! It takes a little while, and can get worse before it gets better, but I know from my own experiences with quitting and returning to smoking that smoking might feel like it's a self medication for stress or depression at the time, but it really is only covering up something that's already there, and then adding to it with addictive and damaging substances.

Stay strong! 6 days is something to be proud of, especially cold turkey. Don't get discouraged, keep it up!

[bluegirl2004]

yes... am embracing the strange new discovery that smoking adds angst to my life, rather than relieve it. How ironic. Even though I am only on day 7 and the devil whispers in my ear every day. If I look at how I actually feel... wow.

Still, it sure would be good to have a smoke. Self sabotage is my specialty, but not gonna happen tonight.

[Rypdx27]

I too have noticed a relief of stress and some improvement in how my meds work (Prozac) since I quit four months ago. I used the patch for 8 weeks, and got totally off nicotine from there. I still have those "moments" as anyone does after quitting, but I just focus on the fact that my system is free of all the garbage from the cigarettes, and feel glad that I'm not messing with it anymore.

[pixielou]

One way of reinforcing the positive is think about how much better your mouth tastes when you wake up in the morning