Get Ready to Break Up with Smoking Forever

Why learning specific techniques that help with cravings and stress BEFORE you try quitting is so important

Many people start smoking because it makes them feel easy going, confident, and part of the crowd. Smoking can also trick us into thinking it makes us feel more relaxed.

This association with stress reduction is understandable, since "When a person smokes, a dose of nicotine reaches the brain within about ten seconds. At first, nicotine improves mood and concentration, decreases anger and stress, relaxes muscles and reduces appetite" (Mental Health Foundation).

However, "Research into smoking and stress has shown that instead of helping people to relax, smoking actually increases anxiety and tension. Nicotine creates an immediate sense of relaxation so people smoke in the belief that it reduces stress and anxiety. This feeling of relaxation is temporary and soon gives way to withdrawal symptoms and increased cravings" (MHF).

The fact is that the act of smoking regularly creates a cycle--we're constantly going through withdrawal, feeling stress because of the withdrawal, and then smoking to relieve the "stress" of withdrawal.

So, although it reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms, which are similar to the symptoms of anxiety, smoking does not reduce anxiety or deal with the underlying causes (MHF).