AKN
04-16-2008, 01:04 PM
Hi everybody! :)
I thought this could be a useful and fun thread to get going here... alternatives to getting high are always good, but can be hard to think of when the cravings are the worst. Of course some will be obvious, but sometimes I miss the obvious when I'm craving and/or need a little convincing, get me out of that pouty "nothing is fun" feeling I get when I really want to smoke.
Exercise
Helps get rid of the tension in general and gets me in touch with my body, which makes me want to take care of it. Also as an 'acute treatment' to go and do something really physical and get those endorphins going... when i'm craving I usually have a lot of pent up energy to get rid of. I'll just start doing push-ups or crunches or just run really fast around the block. hey, it's one of the few times in life it can be good to 'run away' from problems! ;)
Reading
When I'm not so tense and just bored, reading something really absorbing can make the time go by fast and get my mind on something else. I think it's key for it to be stuff that's not too difficult and easy to get wrapped up in. I like science fiction and there's lots of good stuff (if anyone's into SF i've got lots of suggestions)
Games
For me computer games aren't so good cos I'm just too used to smoking as I play. I like RPGs so that's really easy. Acutally just writing that makes me think I should try something that keeps my hands busier. Hmm. Anyway, for not comptuer stuff, I very recently started doing puzzles for the first time since I was a kid. I must say 1000+ pieces ones can be pretty tough. More fun than I expected and I really like doing this when I can't sleep, seems peaceful somehow. I like card games, but never realised how many different solitare games there are that use different levels of skill and luck to suit different moods. Another thing that's been more fun than I expected.
Baking
I love baking it's so relaxing and usually puts me in a good mood, especially when I share the results with people... cakes and sweets seem to make almost everyone happy. Maybe not be quite so good if you're only used to making tthose special brownies, but then again you might find you're a better baker than you thought!
Sex
Hehe... well someone has to say it. :p there are few better distractions! I think I'm a little lucky cos I've never really been into getting high for sex, and rarely go out with people who smoke dope. Plus I'm much more social when not stoned so easier to meet people or give attention to an existing partner.
Well, that's what I've got for now... it's a place to start at least. I'd love to hear suggestions and/or comments on mine from others. (hehe... i know you're out there!) Anything really, brainstorming can lead to some cool ideas. Within reason, anything is better than smoking! (at least that's what I've been telling myself a lot lately)
I thought this could be a useful and fun thread to get going here... alternatives to getting high are always good, but can be hard to think of when the cravings are the worst. Of course some will be obvious, but sometimes I miss the obvious when I'm craving and/or need a little convincing, get me out of that pouty "nothing is fun" feeling I get when I really want to smoke.
Exercise
Helps get rid of the tension in general and gets me in touch with my body, which makes me want to take care of it. Also as an 'acute treatment' to go and do something really physical and get those endorphins going... when i'm craving I usually have a lot of pent up energy to get rid of. I'll just start doing push-ups or crunches or just run really fast around the block. hey, it's one of the few times in life it can be good to 'run away' from problems! ;)
Reading
When I'm not so tense and just bored, reading something really absorbing can make the time go by fast and get my mind on something else. I think it's key for it to be stuff that's not too difficult and easy to get wrapped up in. I like science fiction and there's lots of good stuff (if anyone's into SF i've got lots of suggestions)
Games
For me computer games aren't so good cos I'm just too used to smoking as I play. I like RPGs so that's really easy. Acutally just writing that makes me think I should try something that keeps my hands busier. Hmm. Anyway, for not comptuer stuff, I very recently started doing puzzles for the first time since I was a kid. I must say 1000+ pieces ones can be pretty tough. More fun than I expected and I really like doing this when I can't sleep, seems peaceful somehow. I like card games, but never realised how many different solitare games there are that use different levels of skill and luck to suit different moods. Another thing that's been more fun than I expected.
Baking
I love baking it's so relaxing and usually puts me in a good mood, especially when I share the results with people... cakes and sweets seem to make almost everyone happy. Maybe not be quite so good if you're only used to making tthose special brownies, but then again you might find you're a better baker than you thought!
Sex
Hehe... well someone has to say it. :p there are few better distractions! I think I'm a little lucky cos I've never really been into getting high for sex, and rarely go out with people who smoke dope. Plus I'm much more social when not stoned so easier to meet people or give attention to an existing partner.
Well, that's what I've got for now... it's a place to start at least. I'd love to hear suggestions and/or comments on mine from others. (hehe... i know you're out there!) Anything really, brainstorming can lead to some cool ideas. Within reason, anything is better than smoking! (at least that's what I've been telling myself a lot lately)