This entry was posted on Monday, January 7th, 2008 at 3:04 pm and is filed under Overcoming Addictions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Suspect that title was a cheap shot, but well, I am a bit feisty now that the season of the “cold” is over.
Been reading some fascinating research coming out of Florida State University by Dr. Roy Baumeister on Self Regulation…ie managing what seems unmanageable…ie those nasty habits that seem to control us: overeating, over thinking, overspending, overdrinking….
Well, the key to that research seems to be that we all need to build some MUSCLE around those self regulatory behaviors, and as we all know, building muscle takes time, focus, and persistence.
The key to the research seems to be the notion of DEPLETION. When the muscle tires, or gets depleted, we go back to our old ways…and feel like we have failed.
Seems to me all we need to do is
1) recognize change is a challenge
2) change is less likely to occur when we are depleted
3) what are our sources of “well filling”
4) what steps can we take to both build muscles and resources?
The research is fascinating and gives hope to all of us who think instead it is a failure of willpower or character. Instead, let’s view change as muscle building. After the first few reps at the gym we feel fatigue, but we know that when we rest and go back, lo and behold, we are able to do more reps….Muscle grows by being broken down and rebuilding and then being challenged yet once again.
So, if you are stopping smoking…YIPPPEEE…know that being gentle with yourself, building reserves, viewing that action as MASTERY and not DEPRIVATION will serve you well. Also know that our resolve is best in the early morning…why? I suspect because we are not DEPLETED with the challenges of life…
So, let’s collect some data here…how do you refill????
What do you do to prevent depletion?
This is a call for interaction ! The spammers have found me…YIKES…and the comments I get are from all sorts of “interesting sources”….so, whatdoyou thinK?
What has worked for you, to refill, not get depleted, and move forward to building the muscle of SELF REGULATION???
Blog on,
Beth
read comments (5)
January 7th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
still working on that refill thing.
However I have found that the two best things to help with the NEW NON-SMOKER habit I am forming are
1: Work out. exercise of any kind is wonderful.. Not only does it make me feel better physically, but it gives me more energy and helps to create better more positive self thoughts.
2: READING… I spent my first weekend of not smoking moslty by myself in the sense that I stayed away from other people, but had a whole bunch of people in my book completely changing my focus from the dreaded smoking.
Those two things are not really big things but for this beginner it is a start.
There is one more thing that is calming to me and that is visiting with a certain someone. Just somthing about sharing each others worlds, trials, trips, falls, and successes… ; )
for now I have to find my book..
Happy discovering….
January 8th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Right on, LS !
Monitoring is one of the keys…find out what works, what makes you feel complete, “proud”, “competent” and in CONTROL.
I was a trainer for a wonderful program in the late 80′s, Smokenders, and one of the things they recommended was doing lots of “mouth attention”
Brush, floss, and use mouthwash. Just think of the attention that your mouth as a smoker…we touch our face as smokers 1,000 times a day…your mouth needs attention, NOT FOOD ATTENTION (hello, snickerdoodles)…healthy attention.
I love your specific suggestions…if all else fails, hop in the shower…it’s hard to smoke in the shower…although it can be done…
Keep us posted…Fill your Well…
Smooch,
Beth
January 8th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Ah, mouth care… Thought maybe I was losing my mind because I have been constantly taking care of my mouth.
This could be good or bad, but food of any kind, but mostly sweets leave a horrible taste in my mouth.
I have yet to run into something that actually smells good and EVERYTHING has an aroma now.
Need my book again.. It was a trying day at work but hey gotta test the not smoking muscle or it will never get strong.
January 10th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
I have learned something very important on my journey to change my unhealthy smoking habit with something more healthy…
Be very careful who you share your plans with. Make sure that someone is supportive and won’t drive you INSANE with their crap.
Sharing is a good thing, but for me at least some people add to my challenges.
my thoughts for today.
thanks
January 10th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
LS,
Isn’t that the truth?
Too often we “share” that what we want to do is smoke less, drink less, eat less…and all of a sudden there appears the
SMOKING,EATING,DRINKING POLICE….
I think the challenge is to let the “support” people know what we want from them. We don’t want policing, or shaming, or monitoring…what is it we want????
Too often the “stress” of their “helfulness” can actually deplete us AND DRIVE US TO THE OLD FAMILIAR un healthy habits…
I know we are supposed to “share” OUR PLANS , but., as you so accurately point out, we must be Careful…
Good luck, woman, you are doing an awesome job.
Smooch