Dealing with
Post-Traumatic Smobriety Syndrome

This is a new section, one which I hope will grow. The idea came from Clarissa, . I gratefully acknowledge her function as muse for this page and her permission to include her Stress Relief Technique #437.4. More on that later...

But first...What is Post-Traumatic Smobriety Syndrome? Doctors warn (well, not really, but let's pretend, ok?) it's an extremely dangerous affliction that can cause considerable damage to a quitter. Not to mention their home, car, belongings, and any close family. The PTSS victim is faced quite abruptly with the stress in their lives sans the benefit of the NicoDemon-supplied, highly addictive drug Nicotine. In addition, without their regular fix, many new quitters go through an unseemly period during their initial stages of withdrawal - namely, the B*tch Stage. This stage of a quit can attack both sexes with relative ease, and may result in unprovoked, lightning attacks during which anything within reach is subject to immediate and complete destruction.

The combination of QuitAnger and the onslaught of unmedicated stress assails a fragile new quitter; often the result is PTSS. After literally minutes of research of all relevant documents from the foremost medical authorities in my mind, this page will offer techniques designed to help a quitter through difficult times. If you have a Stress Relief Technique (SRT) you'd like to share, send me an e-mail.

Jump to Newest Tips

Also see: 102 Ways to Occupy Yourself Without Smoking

Complimentary Spa Services
This tip brought to you by
Clarissa. Many thanks.

Find your nearest beauty/complimentary therapy school or college and give them a ring. They're usually looking for volunteers for students to perform treatments on - which means a free massage, facial, aromatherapy, whatever for you. When I was training, my college had a list of people that regularly came in as clients for students to practice on. We practiced on each other until we were of a sufficient standard to treat clients, but ask the college about their standards and supervision procedure. Also, students often have to conduct case studies towards the end of the course when they know the routine well. They want people who they can perform X number of treatments upon, when their friends and families aren't reliable or available.

NOTE: Guys! Don't ignore this idea. A free massage wouldn't be bad, would it? Men can benefit as much as women from a facial as well.

Bath Time with Rubber Ducky
Home Spa Techniques

This is another tip some men may overlook. Don't! A hot bath - and the hotter the better - can melt the troubles away. Collect an assortment of bath salts, oils, soaps and bubble bath (you heard me...bubble bath) for variety's sake. Add soft, soothing music, or a fountain to enrich the experience. And don't forget to turn out the lights, replacing them with candles. Minimize noise by turning off TVs, computers and phones. Put a Do Not Disturb sign on your front door.

Walking without Exercise
Yeah, and dinner without cooking, too.

You might be wondering how this is possible. In truth, it isn't. Sure; any walking is exercise but I'm want to pull your mind out of the sweats and sneaks, power-walk mentality. This kind of walking is about letting go of everything in your mind that adds to your stress. No matter where you live, there's a good chance you can find a peaceful place to walk for 15 to 30 minutes. This is an especially good SRT for evenings after work. Look for the place and time with the least distractions. Don't let others of with you unless they can keep completely silent. Now, listen to the birds, the trees, the crickets. Smell the flowers, enjoy the sunset. R e l a x . . .

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Dinner without Cooking
I told you just a minute ago!

Stop and think for a minute. There are numerous ways to have a nutritious dinner without doing more than rinsing some veggies or using a microwave. And, to me, that's not cooking. Consider the following options:

• Salads
  • Baby spinach w/ tomatoes, cucumbers & carrots
  • Romaine w/ field greens, grape tomatoes & peppers
  • Cobb salad
  • Chef salad
  • Ceasar salad w/ leftover chicken, shrimp or beef
  • Whatever I Have in the Fridge salad
    
    
• Soups
  • Progresso (or equivalent) - Spend a little extra for quality
  • Home Made - Make extra to freeze
  • Ramen - Oh, please! Three minutes - Still doesn't count
  • Cheap stuff - add several slices of bread for filler
    
    
• Micro Side Dishes
  • Rice in a pouch - 60 seconds to a side dish
  • Veggies - pick two and do them together
  • Twice baked potatoes
  • Rice bowls
  • Pasta bowls
  • Macaroni and Cheese
    
    
• Other Micro Stuff
  • Pizza
  • Munchies galore!
  • Mexican - taquitos, burritos, vaya con queso
  • Entrees - don't forget the veggies
  • Ice Cream - 15sec/pint...a great QuitMeal!
    

Add to this list cold cut sandwiches, leftovers, cheese, sausage & crackers, veggie plates, fresh fruits, prepared dishes, cottage cheese, yogurt, hot & cold cereals and 50 other things that could be in our kitchen. Virtually everything on this list can go from idea to meal in 10-15 minutes; most will clean up in less. Sit on your deck, or reasonable facsimile, and let the stress melt away.

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Let's Talk Exercise

This is the toughest one for me but it's very good for stress relief. First, physical activity relieves stress. Second, it increases the body's health, allowing it to cope with the physical aspects of stress more effectively. You don't even have to kill yourself to gain benefit. Three to four times a week, spend a half-hour on our body. It will work wonders over the long run. Want faster results? Add more days by alternating activities: treadmill and aerobics, walking and pilates. Build up your time slowly and don't ever forget to warm up and down.

Learn a New Game
Or take up an old one

Not sports- basketball or baseball, e.g., that would fit more easily in the previous category. Rather, think table top. Backgammon, cribbage, chess, checkers, Chinese checkers and dominoes. More? Scrabble, Yahtzee, hundreds of Monopoly games (cities, university and pro teams, etc.), Life, Risk, and Mousetrap. Card games include Spades, Hearts, Bridge (or Whist, if your into history a bit), Pinnochle, Rummy and dozens of solitaire games. Of course, there's always the traditional Poker Night. Add the multitude of D&D spin-off Role Playing Games if you like to dress up funny.

NOTE: Computer games don't count - even the solitaire variations. The idea is to s l o w d o w n . . . not to force your mind into machine mode. And don't get too wrapped up in the need to win and other stress-producing behaviors. Have fun. Laugh, talk, listen. Smile a lot.

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Build a Tree House
Or a Patio, a Deck, a Tea House

My Sweet Baby, the love of my life, asked the question: "If you started a tree house club and could only invite three members, who would you pick? What would the sign say on the door?" In answer, I wrote her a poem, conjuring the innocence of a child and describing my ultimate safe hideaway with the intent of giving her a place of comfort. She did me great honor when she referred to the tree house later as "a soft place to fall," saying we all needed a place like that. Of course, she's right.

So, if you don't have one already, build yourself a soft place and, if at all possible, build it outdoors. I like the idea of a tree house because it makes it so easy for me to detach myself from the world. It's like climbing back into my childhood, when things were simpler and the only thing I had to really worry about was if Mom was going to make Liver for dinner. And back then I didn't smoke.

Before beginning ask yourself, what does my ultimate tree house (patio, deck, whatever) look like? What is it made out of? How is it decorated? The actual planning, design and construction can be a great diversion. Then, when it's finished, you will have a soft place to land in times of trouble. And we all need a soft place - even guys, though they are loathe to admit it.

Already have a deck or a patio or some such? Why not redecorate it, making it more appealing, more relaxing, more inviting? Is there some way to screen it so that it's more private? What decor can you add that will make it more peaceful? Candles, fountain, soft cushions or chairs? You get the idea.

And since you asked - or even if you didn't - here's the poem I wrote for the most wonderful woman in the world. Her children loved it, too, I so proud to say. And, by the way, she's my most importnat quit aid, even though I'd been quit for almost four years when we got serious after knowing each other throughout my quit. (We met in as3.) What better reason to quit than to have more time with the ones you love? Click here to learn more about a neat, and free, quit aid that you can make, just like we did.

The Tree House
©2004, Lane Baldwin
All Rights Reserved.

The sign by the door says "Shhhh! Listen…"

I'm up here with three very good friends:
A little squirrel who eats nuts out of my hand,
A bird that chirps happily and snaps at any bugs that come in
Except for the lady bug that's on my shoulder.
She knows the lady helps her keep the bad bugs away.

We sit up here a lot. It's very quiet.
You can hear the leaves whispering secret messages.
Sometimes, the wind has something special to tell me.
I close my eyes and turn off my ears.
Listen with my heart.

The squirrel tickles my palm as he grabs for another pecan.
Sits and nibbles daintily.
Smiles at me in thanks.
The bird chirps...singing me her special song
As the ladybug lounges regally on my shoulder.

It's later in the evening now.
The sun is yawning as it slowly crawls behind the hills
Almost time to sleep.
Before he goes, he lights the few clouds in the sky for me.
So beautiful: Yellow - orange - a bit of red over there.
See it?

I can hear two little children down the street as they laugh and giggle.
TAG! You're it!
There's a lawn mower running a few blocks over.
Mr. Jones is trying to finish his yard before it gets dark.
He sure loves taking care of his yard.

It's warm this evening. Not hot, just warm,
With a gentle breeze sighing through the trees.
I think I'll sleep up here tonight.
Maybe watch the stars for a while before I nod off.
Orion will come up just between those two branches right there.
Just a few more minutes and he'll begin his nightly trek across the sky.
I really appreciate that he watches over me at night.

It's always so peaceful up here.
I can just sit and listen to my brothers and sisters:
Sacred children standing.
Yes, I think I'll sleep up here tonight.
There's room for two if you'd like to join me.

Shhhhh! Listen…

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Coming Soon!
More Stress Relief Tips

Also see: 102 Ways to Occupy Yourself Without Smoking