Last week we talked about the issues youth might be facing. The reasons, hurdles, and situations that might have led them to resort to bad habits like vaping and cigarettes. Youth forms a large part of our society, and it’s sad that a large part. of our society is engaged in negative activities. To find a possible solution to this social issue, it is important to address the mental state of the budding minds. We nee to understand their thought process and not judge them based on their bad behavior. In the last blog, we discussed how loneliness is the key reason for the youth’s choice of vaping and smoking. This is Foramz and we will discuss how we can create a positive environment for them and help them foster healthy habits. If you are reading this, and are feeling alone, trust me you are not alone. In this span of age, we call “youth” generally goes through the phase and it is completely normal. Vaping and smoking might feel like a quick escape, but in the long run, it will be beneficial to resort to healthy coping systems. 1. Build Deep and Meaningful Connections Loneliness often comes through a lack of genuine relationships with people loneliness often comes from a lack of genuine relationships rather than just the absence of people around us. One way to counteract this is by actively working on building friendly relationships. Start by reaching out to people you already know, such as family members, classmates, or old friends. A simple message or check-in can catch up on relationships and remind you that you are not alone. Additionally, stepping outside of your comfort zone and engaging in social activities can help. You can join a sports club, or sports teams or enroll in a hobby class that you like. Engaging in activities you like releases oxytocin levels. This will help you connect with like-minded people which will help foster a feeling of belonging. It might sound difficult at first, but consistent effort in socializing helps build familiarity and friendships over time. 2. Develop Emotional Resilience and Self-Awareness Understanding and tipping into your emotions is very crucial. Only you can know the true reason for your sadness. Understanding your emotions and finding healthy ways to process them is crucial in overcoming loneliness. Instead of bottling up emotions or masking them behind harmful habits, try engaging in activities that allow self-expression. Engaging in Journaling, painting, or playing music can be powerful tools for self-reflection and emotional release. Mindfulness and meditation can also help you stay present and reduce negative self-talk, making it easier to accept and navigate feelings of loneliness. Learning to be comfortable with solitude and enjoying your own company is just as important as building relationships with others. Once you learn that you are your best friend nothing else will be able to bind you in its cage. 3. Engage in Physical Activities to Improve Mental Health Exercise has been scientifically proven to boost mental well-being by releasing endorphins, which act as natural mood enhancers. Engaging in sports, yoga, or even daily walks can significantly reduce stress and feelings of loneliness. Physical activity also provides opportunities to meet new people and form social bonds through group workouts, dance classes, or recreational sports leagues. Moreover, focusing on fitness goals can shift your attention away from negative habits like smoking or vaping, replacing them with healthier coping mechanisms. 4. Reduce Social Media Dependency and Increase Real-Life Interactions Social media mostly amplifies loneliness rather than eliminating it, for it creates unhealthy comparisons by setting unrealistic portrayals of people’s lives. Making a huge difference in how you feel is a matter of cutting down on screen time and focusing on real-world connections. Set specific time limits for your social media usage and engage in offline activities like reading, outdoor hobbies, or in-person meetups with friends. Face-to-face contact will help build deeper emotional ties and give one the support often missing in digital interactions. The more present one is in their moment and engaging with the people around them, the less they will feel lonely. 5. Replace Smoking and Vaping with Positive Coping Mechanisms If it has become a habit to vape or smoke, it is imperative to replace those habits with healthy coping mechanisms. Identify what triggers your desire whether due to stress, boredom, or social pressure-and find alternative methods to handle the situation. Manage cravings through deep breathing exercises, sucking on chewing gum, or using a stress ball. Distractions in the form of an instrument, crafting, or gardening can be both distracting and fulfilling. Sometimes, talking with a trusted friend, family member, or counselor may also prove helpful in quitting. There are professional quit-smoking programs and mobile applications that have been designed to monitor progress and maintain motivation. The process of breaking this habit involves more than stopping; it requires replacing the bad habit with more positive and enduring coping strategies. 6. Get Help or Guidance When Needed Loneliness and addictive behavior often become so unmanageable that they can’t be managed by an individual. Talking to a therapist, school counselor, or support group can provide much-needed emotional support to help them through these changes. Professional guidance can offer a personal strategy or coping mechanism best suited to a particular situation. If you find that your loneliness or vaping has been severely impairing your mental health, there is no harm in contacting some helplines or community groups for healing purposes. Surround yourself with positivity and build strong support systems for yourself, as these will really help you during your journey through loneliness and other unhealthy habits. Little by little, you could begin to feel better about how you think, as well as live a more balanced life, through these adjustments. Change takes time, and each step leads you closer to a more satisfied and connected life. For your daily dose of moral support keep reading Foramz.com.
Written by Mira
Last week we talked about how loneliness in youth can result in habits of smoking and vaping. To get into the root of the issue it is important to understand what leads to the youth’s attention drifting in the direction of such habits. You might have noticed how vaping and smoking have become common among the youth. Whether it’s at a house party, during a break at school, or even scrolling through social media, it’s everywhere. But have you ever wondered why are we turning to these habits? What is it that we are looking for in that puff of cigarette? It’s not always about looking cool or rebelling. For a lot of people, it’s about filling a void—loneliness, stress, or just trying to feel like we belong somewhere. Let us talk about the reasons one by one. The Weight of Loneliness Loneliness is a word that creeps at us. The feeling is not always obvious, but it’s there, creeping in late at night when we’re mindlessly scrolling through Instagram or TikTok. We see everyone else having fun, going to parties, traveling, and living their best lives. “But what about me?” A question that leaves us feeling lonely or in today’s language FOMO, we experience the fear of missing out. We feel left out like we don’t measure up or “fit in.” It’s a terrible feeling, right? And that’s when the idea of a quick escape—a vape pen or cigarette—starts to look tempting. For a moment, it feels like it takes the edge off, like it’s giving you a break from all the noise in your head but tragically, its adding on to that void. Trying to Fit In We’ve all been there—that moment when you’re hanging out with friends, and someone offers you a vape. You don’t really want to, but saying “no” feels impossible. You don’t want to seem lame or risk being left out. It’s tough because fitting in feels so important, the fear of being alone is so prominent that you take a puff. It’s not always about enjoying it; it’s about belonging, even if just for a moment. The Circle of Expectations Life can be stressful, even for youth. Between school, grades, extracurriculars, and trying to figure out what you want to do with your life, it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. In reality, it is not but the age, the surroundings, and societal pressure make us feel that way, which is completely natural. Add in the pressure to have a happening social life, look good, and keep up with everyone else, and it’s enough to make anyone crack. But vaping or smoking might not be the lifeline you are looking for. Vaping or smoking might feel like a way to take a breather, to calm your nerves. But the truth is, that relief doesn’t last. It’s just a temporary band-aid for a much bigger wound. Family and Emotional Struggles In some cases, the problem starts at home. Maybe your parents are too busy to notice what you’re going through, or maybe they just don’t get it. You feel invisible, like no one really understands or cares. Picking up a vape or a cigarette might feel like a way to take control, to do something for yourself. Or maybe it’s a way to say, “Hey, I’m hurting.” But here’s the thing: you’re not invisible, and people do care, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now. Things do change. The Hold of Marketing Have you ever noticed how vaping is made to look so cool? Flavors like mango, cotton candy, grapes, and mint—they’re not targeting adults; they’re targeting youth. The ads make it seem harmless, even fun and cool. But the reality is that these companies are selling them intentionally by promoting them as a “safer option” than cigarettes, which is totally a myth. Nicotine is one of the main ingredients in vape. It has harmful chemicals which can cause lung diseases and even cancer. The companies, just want your money. And once you’re hooked, it’s hard to stop. That’s how they win. Don’t let them. You’re Not Alone If you’re reading this and somewhere resonate with it don’t worry you are not alone. There are so many people out there who feel the same way you do. The world can be tough, and it’s okay to struggle. What’s important is that you don’t give up on yourself. You are worth more than a vape pen or cigarette. You’re stronger than you think, and you have an entire life to live full of possibilities. Do not let that temporary escape steal that from you. Stay strong, and remember you’ve got this. Here’s the truth: vaping and smoking won’t fix the loneliness, the stress, or the pressure. They might distract you from the pain for a little while, but in the long run, they’ll only make things harder. Addiction, health problems, guilt—none of that is worth it. So in the next week, we will see in detail how can we healthily cope with these emotions. Because you are not alone. Keep Reading Foramz for you daily dose of moral support.