Smoking Kid - Best Anti-Smoking Ad I've Seen

      I think I understand why some people smoke (though I am sure there are a wide variety of reasons). At times when I am at my most stressed I feel like standing outside with a cigarette might be just what I need to calm me down enough to keep studying. I don't smoke, my husband would be pretty upset and I don't want my son to see me. But I think I get it, life can be difficult and some people just need something to keep them going and then it's addictive. We live in a culture where indulging in naughty pleasures is glorified, it is the premise of many a chocolate commercial. Most of the anti-smoking ads piss me off because they are too judgmental and shaming people to do what you want is never acceptable. This one did not seem like it was shaming though there was an aspect of guilt included. It seemed more like they were trying to get across that the smoking adults lives mattered too and that these people need to quit for their own reasons. That is what I took from it anyway. And people really do need to quit for their own reasons, in their own way and when they are ready. I tried to convince 3 people to quit smoking so far. I wasn't successful with any of them, though I know one of them quit, I also know it had nothing to do with me and everything to do with their own motivation.    

     When people smoke to deal with stress it is extra unfortunate because there are so many great ways to deal with stress. Meditations are my go to stress busting practice but yoga (free videos on YouTube) also works. Exercise in general is good for reducing stress, treating depression (potentially better then herbs and drugs) and is just great for overall health. The smell of lavender is soothing enough to reduce stress sometimes but engaging in a loved hobby is sure to help. I think stress management should be taught to everyone in high school. It seems like it would be a good time to experiment with what techniques work individually so teens are less inclined to experiment with tobacco and other things. Teens are under more stress than ever before and if we don't teach them how to handle it, someone else might be all to happy to.