No Smoking.. Forever.

Issued In Public Interest

This is to inform all my readers and fellow bloggers that I have QUIT Smoking. I'm not writing this in a fit of resolution which might end abruptly in few days or weeks but after considerable time of practicing I can safely and confidently declare myself as a non-smoker.

I planned to present my "I have quit" news to my significant other on (Happy) New Year as her (Happy) New Year gift. But then a conversation popped up and I informed her of the developments. I initially planned to gift her a cigarette with a red ribbon and a note "I've Quit." With hundreds of miles between us when it seemed not quite possible I broke her the good news on phone. She was ecstatic to say the least!!

For the help of people who are trying to quit I'm listing some useful tips which helped me and might help you too:

1.Change your Surroundings: If you have to get out of your smoking habit and your surrounding environment is filled with smokers, run fast without looking back. Fill your surroundings with people who are disgusted with smoking, who disdain it. Somewhere deep down things will change.

2.Have a healthy lifestyle: Exercise, go for a run, join a gym.. easier said than done. But once you start caring about your body the body will care about you and start rejecting cigarette. Your system will have a repulsive feeling to it.

3.The "Why" of quitting: Take a piece of paper and write down solid reasons as to "why" you want to quit. The reasons must be clear in your mind for the endeavor. Do you really really want to quit or you want to console yourself that yes I'm trying to quit.

4.Image: Usually there's a strong image attached to smoking in your head. Attach smoking with negative images like that of cancer ridden smokers or the most ugliest form of graphical warning you would have seen. The more both things are attached (the thought smoking and the horrifying image) the more the urge to quit.

5.Quit Slowly: There's no quitting resolution suddenly in the morning that lasts till evening. Cut your fags go minimal then when you are confident that yes now nicotine is not needed in your system you can call it quits.

6.Read Anti-Smoking material: Any time you happen to lay your hand on anti-smoking pamphlet, poster, article read it thoroughly again and again. Make it your new book, think about it all the time.

7.It's NOT a stress killer: The most common excuse for smoking is believing its a strong stress reliever and it's anything but that. It only numbs your mind for moments and then back to square 1. Get the concept out of your head that it has anything to do with stress.

8. Out of sight Out of mind: If they are in your drawer, in your cupboard then I'm sure the temptation will be high. The more easily it's available the more swiftly you'll drift towards it.