Still going strong as a non smoker and I am absolutely feeling the benefits health wise. Not yet feeling the financial benefits yet as I still need nicotine products to get through and as I no longer need the patches, the nicotine levels in them are too high for me now, I don’t get help with the gum and mints it was only patches that my GP would help with. If you can pitch in with with mints and gum the link is https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/V8QO1QJQHLN?ref_=wl_share as I manage on a minimal income due to severe mental health issues. #SmokeFree #stopsmokingstartliving

73 days smoke free!!! Just had to share because I haven’t checked this app for a little bit and I was blown away by how far I have come 💪🏼. I would say half of the days are easy and half are really difficult and I still use nicotine mints and gum the amount depends on the day but on the whole it’s getting less. I am still shocked that I’m managing to stick with this and I’m truly proud of myself. Also I’m loving that I can say I haven’t smoked this year 🥰 and as the days are ticking along being able to say this means more.
Stopping smoking is just one of many things that I’m either already doing or intending to do and every goal is something to make my body or mind healthier and stronger. I know that these objectives are contributing to me getting to become the person I want to be. Every piece of the puzzle matters and in the short term will help to get me through intensive trauma therapy and in the long term who knows, it’s actually not something I’ve thought about yet. I’m naturally an impatient person so that is also something I’m working hard on by trusting the choices I’m making and having faith in the path I’m walking and that at the very least my mental health will improve so that I can be a stronger more independent woman.
I want to thank everyone that has been following me on my journey to stronger mental health and huge thank you for you love, beautiful messages and support. #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthrecovery #ptsd #ptsdrecoveryjourney #complextrauma #complextraumarecovery #trusttheprocess #positivity #strength #love #betterhealth #patience #healthybodyhealthymind #journey #stopsmoking #stopsmokingstartliving

As I am still a non smoker I’ve decided to use some of the money saved on myself. It’s so easy to let the “extra” money get eaten up by bills etc because let’s be honest when you are on a tight budget there are always essentials to spend our money on, especially with rising prices.
When I smoked I used rolling tobacco and smoked very little so my “extra” isn’t loads but it’s still more. I’ve thought a lot about what I can do for myself and I’ve chosen something fairly simple. I need to drink way more water than I do and as I’m not far off 46 I need to start looking after my body more before menopause hits. I’m aware that when menopause does hit my hair, skin, nails and joints will be affected so I’m going to try a daily dose of collagen to see if I notice a difference. I also barely eat fruit as I’m not too keen on it so I’m also going to add some frozen berries to my water, that I will eat once I’m done with my water.
I am noticing that the big boost in exercise whilst great for my mental health, those natural hormone boosts that come with exercise are super helpful for someone like me with awful mental health but no medications have worked for me so I’m reliant on exercise and also I’m now looking at diet and supplements to also possibly help, my body is struggling to keep up and recover.
I’m hoping by starting to make little changes to my diet and other things that my recovery will start to improve and my body will start to keep up. If nothing else I’m getting much needed water into my body. I will update when I notice a difference. #mentalwellbeing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthrecovery #ptsd #ptsdrecovery #exercise #activelifestyle #healthcare #stopsmoking #stopsmokingstartliving #fruit #water #collagen #takecareofyourmentalhealt #littlechanges #littlechangesbigresults #takecareofyourself #takecareofyourtemple #takecareofyourmachine