The Significance of Rewards

[Sazerac]

Nicotine stimulates the reward path in our brain
and by replenishing ourselves with nicotine, we were rewarded with Dopamine.
Many times a day we went from the panic of,

'I've gotta have a smoke'

to

'Ahhh', the brief relief of satisfying addiction.

 

We were jerking our own chain every twenty minutes or so....for years.

 

When quitting nicotine, that dance of our reward system shuts down. 
It's a shock and we miss the consistent rewarding rush of dopamine.
Our brain doesn't understand where all the feel good stuff went

so, it is essential to amplify rewards, to jump start our natural pathways for the release of Dopamine.

 

The physical act of rewarding ourselves is crucial for the brain to access Dopamine.
It took me a moment to wrap my head around this,
The Physical Act of Rewarding Ourselves, Is Crucial For The Brain To Access Dopamine.

 

Our friend, bakon, is a big advocate of rewards, quite rightly, too.
Celebrate your first moments, days...your first weeks and months. The first year, the next...

 

This can take the form of exotic holidays,  paid with the ducats you were giving to Big Tobacco,
to simple gifts to yourself, a new book, a magazine, a film...
ooh ! plenty of excellent chocolate passed these lips
(dark chocolate, apple, almond, banana, strawberry, salmon, beet, watermelon and pumpkin seeds also stimulate Dopamine).

 

Choose activities that make you feel pampered like the perfect bath, an afternoon nap in freshly laundered sheets, a candle lit dinner.

 

Getting through difficulties and experiencing your triumphs are all opportunities to reward yourself.
Keep in mind, you are not spoiling yourself, you are re-training your brain to deliver dopamine as an honest reward.
Like quenching your thirst with a long tall cool glass of water.

 

Celebrate as the hours go by, while the body adjusts to the new normal.
A normal of being rewarded with dopamine but, naturally, of course,
the way it was before we allowed nicotine to control our reward system.

 

I remember the first day that I forgot to think about smoking or not smoking,
wow ! this is what being nicotine free feels like !
I was so happy and celebrated by purchasing a small tree,
a Sweet Viburnum full of blossoms, a living reminder of my freedom.

 

My continuing reward is the luscious freedom I appreciate every single day.
I am in better health and free-er in spirit...
Tell me what your rewards have been, my nicotine free friends, what are your rewards now ?

 

S
p.s.  Along with Dopamine, we can hack into our other happy chemicals 

to improve the quality of our lives, in addition to aid in quitting smoking/nicotine.

All are accessible simply through Meditation;  taking time for slow, measured breathing letting thoughts slip away.
Exercise and laughter induce the release of Endorphins, 
Oxytocin flows with orgasm, giving/receiving gifts.

Serotonin gets you high when sitting in the sun, hanging with friends and by reflecting on your accomplishments.

 

 

I would also like to add a link from our friend, Joel Spitzer

Using Cigarettes As Rewards

 

Edited October 8, 2019 by Sazerac

[Doreensfree]

My biggest reward..me and my two feet are still together..and I might add..

Enjoying the new smoke free life..I'm doing more ,than I did 10 years ago...

[bakon]

I preach rewards for a simple reason. WHEN YOU QUIT it is hard work. Easy peasy might be a good saying but there is some put your head down, lean forward, and keep marching moments. So you deserve a reward for doing what's necessary.

Second reason is even former smokers have forgotten those moments are work. So nobody can feel what you're doing exactly. And so they say good job but did they buy you a cupcake and sing? No. Have to do it for yourself.

Never thought about replacing dopamine but I guess that's true.

Rewards give a reinforcement to the work.

NOPE helps do the work. A reward reinforced reason to do it.

 

And people just need a little help sometimes

Edited December 19, 2018 by bakon

[Sazerac]

Rewards are not replacing dopamine, they are activating dopamine.  Replacing Nicotine with a 'feel good'  activity encourages the release of Dopamine.

 

I only recently learned this and remembered how you always accentuate rewards, now there's even more reason.

 

As far as 'feet apart'...I like soles together behind a neck or waist.  To be filed under 'Tantric Rewards'. :D

Pleasure is more pleasurable nicotine free, for sure.

[Doreensfree]

My rewards were very important to me...it was my way of telling myself..how wonderful I was..

And what a amazing thing i was achieving ..I was changing my whole life as I had known it...

Spending my hard earned cash on me..

Expensive, smelling candles...I wouldn't have been bothered while I smoked...

[Sazerac]

On 7/28/2016 at 6:34 AM, Sazerac said:

Nicotine stimulates the reward path in our brain

and by replenishing ourselves with nicotine, we were rewarded with Dopamine.

Many times a day we went from the panic of,

'I've gotta have a smoke'

to

'Ahhh', the brief relief of satisfying addiction.

 

We were jerking our own chain every twenty minutes or so....for years.

 

When quitting nicotine, that dance of our reward system shuts down. 

It's a shock and we miss the consistent rewarding rush of dopamine.

Our brain doesn't understand where all the feel good stuff went

so, it is essential to amplify rewards, to jump start our natural pathways for the release of Dopamine.

 

The physical act of rewarding ourselves is crucial for the brain to access Dopamine.

It took me a moment to wrap my head around this,

The Physical Act of Rewarding Ourselves, Is Crucial For The Brain To Access Dopamine.

 

Our friend, bakon, is a big advocate of rewards, quite rightly, too.

Celebrate your first moments, days...your first weeks and months. The first year, the next...

 

This can take the form of exotic holidays,  paid with the ducats you were giving to Big Tobacco,

to simple gifts to yourself, a new book, a magazine, a film...

ooh ! plenty of excellent chocolate passed these lips

(dark chocolate, apple, almond, banana, strawberry, salmon, beet, watermelon and pumpkin seeds also stimulate Dopamine).

 

Choose activities that make you feel pampered like the perfect bath, an afternoon nap in freshly laundered sheets, a candle lit dinner.

 

Getting through difficulties and experiencing your triumphs are all opportunities to reward yourself.

Keep in mind, you are not spoiling yourself, you are re-training your brain to deliver dopamine as an honest reward.

Like quenching your thirst with a long tall cool glass of water.

 

Celebrate as the hours go by, while the body adjusts to the new normal.

A normal of being rewarded with dopamine but, naturally, of course,

the way it was before we allowed nicotine to control our reward system.

 

I remember the first day that I forgot to think about smoking or not smoking,

wow ! this is what being nicotine free feels like !

I was so happy and celebrated by purchasing a small tree,

a Sweet Viburnum full of blossoms, a living reminder of my freedom.

 

My continuing reward is the luscious freedom I appreciate every single day.

I am in better health and free-er in spirit...

Tell me what your rewards have been, my nicotine free friends, what are your rewards now ?

 

S

p.s.  Along with Dopamine, we can hack into our other happy chemicals 

to improve the quality of our lives, in addition to aid in quitting smoking/nicotine.

All are accessible simply through Meditation;  taking time for slow, measured breathing letting thoughts slip away.

Exercise and laughter induce the release of Endorphins, 

Oxytocin flows with orgasm, giving/receiving gifts.

Serotonin gets you high when sitting in the sun, hanging with friends and by reflecting on your accomplishments.

 

I would like to include this link from our friend, Joel Spitzer

Using Cigarettes As Rewards

 

I am bumping this to remind us to retrain our addicted brains, otherwise we are highly susceptible to relapse.

Taking those few deep clean conscious breaths works wonders.

 

 

 

Edited October 8, 2019 by Sazerac

[Sazerac]

:)

[Sazerac]

The picture of our receptors being pirated by nicotine.  

These are the receptors of our reward responses

that thankfully return to normal when we quit but, can be encouraged and hastened during the change by actively rewarding yourself.

 

Edited to find the photo and can't but, this may be helpful

 

 

Edited September 18, 2019 by Sazerac

[SandiW]

Thank you for posting the picture's..........wow, I cannot believe my brain is still somewhat 'normal' LOL after 20+ year's of smoking. 

 

Looking at these picture's and thinking of different scenarios: out w/friends, on a phone call, stressing out over my mother who has dementia and how many cigarettes I smoke.....so, so, so many cigarettes. OMG! This is a huge reality check!

 

xo

[sharonsiff]

I've had the joy of going to Tenerife each year, since not wasting thousands on somoking.

 

The money not wasted has meant us Sifford's have had an absolute blast. I build up to it, and am excited every single day when I think I'm going back. It's like medication really...I can't put into words the thrill it gives be to be able to go once a year, to my second home.

 

Had I still been smoking, not got my head down and worked through the discomfort, we wouldn't have had a holiday every year, no way. The added beauty is I also love the fact I'm not clock watching once in the airport..thinking can't have a smoke for the next six hours. The freedom of that is priceless.

 

Reward yourself...treat yourself...relish on what you spend the money on instead of wasting it..on cancer sticks.

[Sazerac]

On 7/28/2016 at 6:34 AM, Sazerac said:

Nicotine stimulates the reward path in our brain
and by replenishing ourselves with nicotine, we were rewarded with Dopamine.
Many times a day we went from the panic of,

'I've gotta have a smoke'

to

'Ahhh', the brief relief of satisfying addiction.

 

We were jerking our own chain every twenty minutes or so....for years.

 

When quitting nicotine, that dance of our reward system shuts down. 
It's a shock and we miss the consistent rewarding rush of dopamine.
Our brain doesn't understand where all the feel good stuff went

so, it is essential to amplify rewards, to jump start our natural pathways for the release of Dopamine.

 

The physical act of rewarding ourselves is crucial for the brain to access Dopamine.
It took me a moment to wrap my head around this,
The Physical Act of Rewarding Ourselves, Is Crucial For The Brain To Access Dopamine.

 

Our friend, bakon, is a big advocate of rewards, quite rightly, too.
Celebrate your first moments, days...your first weeks and months. The first year, the next...

 

This can take the form of exotic holidays,  paid with the ducats you were giving to Big Tobacco,
to simple gifts to yourself, a new book, a magazine, a film...
ooh ! plenty of excellent chocolate passed these lips
(dark chocolate, apple, almond, banana, strawberry, salmon, beet, watermelon and pumpkin seeds also stimulate Dopamine).

 

Choose activities that make you feel pampered like the perfect bath, an afternoon nap in freshly laundered sheets, a candle lit dinner.

 

Getting through difficulties and experiencing your triumphs are all opportunities to reward yourself.
Keep in mind, you are not spoiling yourself, you are re-training your brain to deliver dopamine as an honest reward.
Like quenching your thirst with a long tall cool glass of water.

 

Celebrate as the hours go by, while the body adjusts to the new normal.
A normal of being rewarded with dopamine but, naturally, of course,
the way it was before we allowed nicotine to control our reward system.

 

I remember the first day that I forgot to think about smoking or not smoking,
wow ! this is what being nicotine free feels like !
I was so happy and celebrated by purchasing a small tree,
a Sweet Viburnum full of blossoms, a living reminder of my freedom.

 

My continuing reward is the luscious freedom I appreciate every single day.
I am in better health and free-er in spirit...
Tell me what your rewards have been, my nicotine free friends, what are your rewards now ?

 

S
p.s.  Along with Dopamine, we can hack into our other happy chemicals 

to improve the quality of our lives, in addition to aid in quitting smoking/nicotine.

All are accessible simply through Meditation;  taking time for slow, measured breathing letting thoughts slip away.
Exercise and laughter induce the release of Endorphins, 
Oxytocin flows with orgasm, giving/receiving gifts.

Serotonin gets you high when sitting in the sun, hanging with friends and by reflecting on your accomplishments.

 

I would like to include a link to our friend, Joel Spitzers, Using Cigarettes As Rewards

 

 

Bump for our fabulous Newbies, I am so happy y'all quit smoking.

Stay strong and breathe deep glorious breaths of Freedom

and

Reward yourselves !

S

 

 

 

 

Edited October 8, 2019 by Sazerac

[Sazerac]

bump.

Creating new rewards, true rewards for yourself is an essential part of recovering from nicotine addiction.

You can also have some fun with rewards and be really kind to yourself.

Rewards can be free...a bubble bath, an interesting walk, a nap...

or small purchases...you know what you would enjoy.

My rewards got bigger the longer I stayed quit, the more ducats saved.

 

 

[Sazerac]

another bump after hearing about Lilly's Charm Bracelet in her blog.

[Reciprocity]

Her idea of the charm bracelet was fabulous  

Anything you can use to encourage yourself to quit and stay quit is well worth what ever effort it requires!

Your addiction will try it's best to defeat your efforts once you quit so you have to outsmart the addiction. 

It's totally possible using tools such as Lilly has done 

[c9jane29]

Hip hooray! I love rewards!

Daily/small task rewards=chocolates, hard candies, nice tea/coffee/beer

 

Monthly/anniversaries=nice dinner, haircut +style, new socks/undies, 

 

Doesn't have to be something big every time, but always tell yourself "This is my reward for xxx" to really reinforce the good behavior association with the dopamine release. 

 

Try new things! The new you might like new things!!

 

(It was mentioned above but I'll also throw out that sex is the best release of dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins. And, like I said, try new things)

 

 

 

[Paul723]

Bump for Kate18

 

(I like recycling Sazerac's advise)

[Kate18]

On 12/18/2018 at 10:28 AM, Paul723 said:

Bump for Kate18

 

(I like recycling Sazerac's advise)

Very thoughtful, Paul, thank you. Am enjoying reading these great posts.

Came online just now because I've been wrestling with a strong crave for the past 30 minutes.

 

Went through H.A.L.T., but not hungry, angry, lonesome, or tired. I feel cranky and whiny and longing for a smoke. I can feel the wanting of it in my throat. (The addict emoting.)

You bumped this yesterday morning, Paul  (my time, anyway), and here it is at the moment I need the right thing to explain this non-HALT craving and what to do to get through it. 

  

Going to the grocery store now, in search of something dopaminergic.  It'll probably be something from the pastry family. Or ice cream. I'll save getting both for surviving a bigger craving.

 

[Sazerac]

On 7/28/2016 at 6:34 AM, Sazerac said:

Nicotine stimulates the reward path in our brain
and by replenishing ourselves with nicotine, we were rewarded with Dopamine.
Many times a day we went from the panic of,

'I've gotta have a smoke'

to

'Ahhh', the brief relief of satisfying addiction.

 

We were jerking our own chain every twenty minutes or so....for years.

 

When quitting nicotine, that dance of our reward system shuts down. 
It's a shock and we miss the consistent rewarding rush of dopamine.
Our brain doesn't understand where all the feel good stuff went

so, it is essential to amplify rewards, to jump start our natural pathways for the release of Dopamine.

 

The physical act of rewarding ourselves is crucial for the brain to access Dopamine.
It took me a moment to wrap my head around this,
The Physical Act of Rewarding Ourselves, Is Crucial For The Brain To Access Dopamine.

 

Our friend, bakon, is a big advocate of rewards, quite rightly, too.
Celebrate your first moments, days...your first weeks and months. The first year, the next...

 

This can take the form of exotic holidays,  paid with the ducats you were giving to Big Tobacco,
to simple gifts to yourself, a new book, a magazine, a film...
ooh ! plenty of excellent chocolate passed these lips
(dark chocolate, apple, almond, banana, strawberry, salmon, beet, watermelon and pumpkin seeds also stimulate Dopamine).

 

Choose activities that make you feel pampered like the perfect bath, an afternoon nap in freshly laundered sheets, a candle lit dinner.

 

Getting through difficulties and experiencing your triumphs are all opportunities to reward yourself.
Keep in mind, you are not spoiling yourself, you are re-training your brain to deliver dopamine as an honest reward.
Like quenching your thirst with a long tall cool glass of water.

 

Celebrate as the hours go by, while the body adjusts to the new normal.
A normal of being rewarded with dopamine but, naturally, of course,
the way it was before we allowed nicotine to control our reward system.

 

I remember the first day that I forgot to think about smoking or not smoking,
wow ! this is what being nicotine free feels like !
I was so happy and celebrated by purchasing a small tree,
a Sweet Viburnum full of blossoms, a living reminder of my freedom.

 

My continuing reward is the luscious freedom I appreciate every single day.
I am in better health and free-er in spirit...
Tell me what your rewards have been, my nicotine free friends, what are your rewards now ?

 

S
p.s.  Along with Dopamine, we can hack into our other happy chemicals 

to improve the quality of our lives, in addition to aid in quitting smoking/nicotine.

All are accessible simply through Meditation;  taking time for slow, measured breathing letting thoughts slip away.
Exercise and laughter induce the release of Endorphins, 
Oxytocin flows with orgasm, giving/receiving gifts.

Serotonin gets you high when sitting in the sun, hanging with friends and by reflecting on your accomplishments.

 

 

I would like to include a link from our friend, Joel Spitzer

Using Cigarettes As Rewards

 

Bump for newbies.

Rewards are an essential component of a successful quit.

The sooner you train your brain to accept TRUE rewards and reject poisonous addiction the better you will feel.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 8, 2019 by Sazerac

[bakon]

Yep

[MichelleDoesntSmokeAnymore]

I still struggle with finding rewards. I'm very sedentary due to a serious knee injury/impending surgery. I've given up sweets, my usual reward, because losing weight is an emergency for me due to my knee problems. Its hard for me to get into and out of the bathtub but I'll try tonight because I love baths and I have some delicious smelling bubble bath. I do have two books going and I could do some stepwork (12 step program) but that doesn't really feel like a reward lol. I asked for suggestions for a sedentary non smoker but I can't find the thread so if you don't mind, throw out anything you can think of. What did you reward yourself with?

Edited July 24, 2019 by MichelleDoesntSmokeAnymore
Fixed typo

[Paul723]

Do you like music?  I listened to the same song everyday for the first month of quitting on my drive to work.  You could pick a theme song to inspire you and reward yourself that way.

[Diane R]

Oh if you like sweets and can do  Splenda whenever I diet I get favored coffee add a litttle half and half and Splenda. It’s like a  dessert. Target has some wonderful favors. My 10 year old grandson said one day grandma I smell chocolate what are you baking. It was my coffee. I felt like I was being  naughty but I wasn’t. I still keep it here. 

[MichelleDoesntSmokeAnymore]

I do. I Liisten to music every day. I'll try to identify a song that has "Quit Smoking" energy in it. Great suggestion, thanks!

[QueenB]

I listen to BUTT KICKING music so when I'm thinking about those horrible smokes!!! BAM BAM BAM  head banging for sure ….. Kick that craving right in the throat!!!!

Ohhhhh wait, we're talking about REWARDS.  LOLOLO yeaaahhhh Um I just go by something small lipstick,  magazine, nothing of any importance just because I can!!! LOVE IT

It's the mood I'm in......I'm allowed LOL

[NADA]

I gave myself frequent rewards like a dinner at a nice restaurant or new sneakers.  After some time and significant savings I'd go for bigger stuff like a new sofa or new truck.  But, by far, the best reward came from my body itself.  I went from a tired couch potato to an extremely active hiker and backpacker.  Here's a picture of the reward I'm giving myself very soon.  Two weeks of backpacking the John Muir Trail.