Smoking and stress

Stress is one of the main reasons people turn to smoking and often end up dependent on it. But in reality, smoking can bring on more stress than it seems to relieve. 

It may be easy to pull out a cigarette and light it up, but all you’re doing is feeding nicotine addiction. 

When you crave nicotine, your body is already going through withdrawal, which is a stressful experience in itself.

There are plenty of safer and more effective ways to ease stress in the time it takes to smoke a cigarette. 

Try closing your eyes and taking some deep breaths for a few minutes. If that doesn’t help, go for a short walk or put on some calming music. 

You’ll be surprised at how much better these simple activities can make you feel. 

Stress relief without smoking

You need to accept that stress is just a part of life. In small doses, it can actually push you to achieve your goals, but too much stress can lead to problems. 

If you’re serious about quitting smoking for good, finding other ways to manage your stress is key.

Let’s explore some ideas. Some might take a bit of time to get the hang of, while others you can start using right away.

Breathe

Stop for a moment and take a few slow, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. 

Do this whenever you’re feeling stressed or tempted to pick up a cigarette. Your body will gradually start to calm down.

Unwind

When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones that make your heart race and raise your blood pressure. Here are some relaxation techniques you can try to stay healthy and manage stress in a positive way.

Visualize

Think of a place where you feel safe, at ease, and one with yourself. Imagine it as clearly as you can, including how it would feel, what you would hear, and maybe even what it would smell like. Take a few minutes to enjoy being there.

Think for a minute about what stress does to your body. Where in your body do you feel stress? Finding ways to ease that tension will also help your mental stress. You can get rid of built-up stress by taking a warm bath, getting a massage, or stretching.

Focus

At times, life can be too much. Don’t worry too much about what will happen next. Instead, try to pay attention to what is going on right now instead of what might happen in the future.

Talk

You don’t have to handle stress on your own. Talk to your friends, family, and other important people in your life about how you feel.

Exercise

When you move around, your body releases chemicals that improve your mood and make you feel less stressed. Sometimes all it takes to get rid of stress is a short walk. And walking doesn’t cost $40 a pack!

Decaffeinate

Caffeine can help you stay awake, but it can also make you feel tense, jittery, and stressed. Cutting back on caffeine or even giving it up can help you feel less stressed. If you want a hot drink without the caffeine, you can switch to herbal tea or even hot water with lemon.

Do good for others

When you do something nice for someone else, it can also make your day better. Taking care of other people can help you feel less stressed.

Care for yourself

Spend more time taking care of yourself. This includes simple things like getting enough sleep and eating a well-balanced diet.

Accept it

There are many turns and twists in life. Stress will always be a part of your life. It helps to know that good days and bad days will come, and accepting what may come your way.