Nov 12, 2004 06:41 PM
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(Updated Nov 12, 2004 06:41 PM)
Quitting smoking has been the single most important achievement in my life. I started out smoking when I was just 13, goaded by'friends'. I had plenty of admirers then.i felt macho.different. I just loved the habit.
Before my 15th birthday, I used to smoke a pack of Wills every day. I was a hardcore nicotine junky. I just had to have my daily fixes of the stuff or I felt pathetic.
By the time I was 17, I was doing my graduation. All my friends in college were smokers. I didnt feel like socializing with non smokers because I found them uncool. All this while, I did have it in the back of my mind that I was losing stamina and strength, that my hair used to stink of stale tobacco smoke and that my lips were turning dark. But I didnt really give a damn, because I was still under the opinion that smoking was a'cool' habit.
Guys, let me tell you something. Smoking is NOT cool, and definitely not sexy.(most women do not like men who smoke). By the time I was 19, I had vowed to quit the habit before I exited my teens. For this, I started preparing myself mentally, and even set a quit date(January 10 2003) after which I decided I would never smoke again. I decided that I didnt want to'bottom out' before I finally quit.I wanted to live my life to the fullest instead.
At this point, let me tell you that I have been through a string of failed attempts at quitting smoking between 1998 and 2003. Each and every smoker alive would rather be a non smoker, and each and every smoker denies that, simply because they know that it is not easy to stop. Yes.nocotine is more addictive than heroin.
On January 10, 2003, I smoked my last cigarette. I had prepared myself to deal with the problems that would occur after I quit, namely, incresed stress, irritability, tiredness, depression.all the sysmptoms that go with the classic nic withdrawal. However, I am writing this to share with my smoker friends, a few important tips on how I quit.( I call it the MAARS Method)
(1)M editation - When I quit, I found it difficult to be calm and focussed. My mind would flit from thought to thought.I felt restless and irritable. I took up meditation, after reading a fabulous book by Paul Wilson called'The Calm Technique'. I cannot stress enough the positive effects that meditation has had on my life, my mental health and my staying away from cigs.
(2)A ttitude - Yes.this is the most important component of the MAARS method. Just say to yourself, 'Ive quit.Ive saved myself. I will not be impotent(or infertile, as the case may be) by 30, my quality of life will be FAR better, I wont stink, wont be a nuisance to the non smoking population beside me. I will be more energetic, more focussed and more determined once Ive overcome this hurdle' YOU MUST BE PROUD OF BEING A NON SMOKER.FLAUNT IT. Tell your friends, your colleauges etc'Sorry, I dont smoke'. And feel great about it. AND NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF!One puff is enough to drag you back. That is the only way of STAYING quit. BY NEVER TAKING ANOTHER PUFF!
(3) A ctivity - Ex Smokers tend to gain a bit of weight by eating more to satisfy their oral cravings. So exercise.be active.release those endorphins and feel happy! Having an increased level of activity while quitting is ALL IMPORTANT.you will feel more motivated, as you fell see the stamina coming back, and feel the rush each day. Plus, exercise counters stress. To this day, I jog each morning before lifting weights and it feels great to be strong and fit.
(4) R elaxation - Do what it takes to relax for a few days. Try not to plunge into hectic activity during the first week or 10 days of quitting as it'll increase your urge to smoke. Take a leave.take a break.or just take it easy at work by coming home by 5 pm every day.but relax.listen to soothing music.observe nature.practise deep breathing.read books.just find an ALTERNATE way to relax, because the stress trigger is most often what pushes an ex smoker bak to his doom.
(5) S upplementation - I used NICORETTE for the first month I stayed quit, and it helped ease the physical symptoms to a degree. Its not a bad idea to use nic gum, but dont get hooked on to it!Take extra B Vitamins(energy and calm), Vitamin C and E(Antioxidants to repair your body of the damage caused), and Liv 52(cleanse your liver which smoking toxifies and make you more energetic).
In case you have trouble sleeping, try Valerian root extract(NOT VALIUM!). Ashwagandha or Ginseng are great as well to counter stress and keep you relaxed and chilled out.
Most importantly, THINK like a non smoker!Once you do that, no amount of stress or peer pressure('Have a drag yaar.') can get you smoking again. Remember, smokers know they are aboard a sinking ship and they would like to drag you along on it. Everytime a smoker leaves the ship, they get insecure. So dont fall into the trap.
Best wishes for quitting smoking. Its important that you do it, today.
Cheers to life.
