Decrease Your Stress Level by Stopping Smoking

[Dr_Hurt]

Many people struggle with setting a quit date as they feel that it is not the right time for them.  With the many demands our world places on us with jobs, family, children, and just taking care of the day-to- day chores of home, it is no wonder that we feel stressed and uncertain that this is the best time for us to quit smoking. 

However, we do hear from people that when they quit smoking – they surprisingly notice less stress in their lives.  Why is that?

Well, physiologically, when one puffs on a cigarette, a large dose of nicotine is delivered to the brain in just 7-10 seconds.  This dose of nicotine causes the release of hormones such as adrenaline which causes a transient increase in heart rate and blood pressure which is compounded by the fact that a smoker takes so many puffs per cigarette, and smokes multiple cigarettes per day.

Now that many public areas are smoke-free, smoking can be stressful just because the smoker has to plan their day to make sure that they are able to find a place and time to smoke.

Thus, instead of relieving stress smoking can actually cause it so it is not surprising that when a smoker stops smoking stress levels go down once the nicotine withdrawal is over which is usually within the first two weeks.  Ex-smokers no longer need to plan their life around their smoking.  They can shop, go to a feature length movie, and play with grandchildren for as long as they want without needing to satisfy their cravings for a cigarette.  Also, many find that after they have quit smoking, when stressful events happen (as they inevitably do), they are able to deal with them better, and more calmly than when they were reaching for the cigarette.

Click here to set you quit date.

Dr. Richard D. Hurt is an internationally recognized expert on tobacco dependence. A native of Murray, Kentucky, he joined Mayo Clinic in 1976 and is now a Professor of Medicine at its College of Medicine. In 1988, he founded the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center and since then its staff has treated more than 50,000 patients for tobacco dependence. Send your questions directly to Dr. Hurt at AskTheExpert@becomeanex.org

[sunny_sandyd]

Good afternoon Dr Hurt. I wanted to let you know how great I think becomeanex is! I haven't smoked a cigarette since Feb 16. One thing that I noticed is it is nice not worrying about were and when I was going to get to smoke my next cigarette. I do have this horible cough. My dr put me on Provintil on March 16th. Still I have been coughing like crazy. Keeping me up at night. Yesterday I started taking Prednisolone. I hope that helps. She said if I don't get better to call her back. I thought quiting smoking would make me feel better but I feetl horible. But I'm not going to let that stop me from my quit. Well I better go now, but thank you so much for what you are doing. It is so important. Have a great weekend

Sunny_sandy d

[grneyedangel44]

Since Quitting smokeing, I have notice the large amount of phlem that I cough up.  I would like to know if this is normal or something I have to see my doctor for.  Im new here and so far havent found anything on it yet.  Thanks so much and God bless.

Linda Byrd

grneyedangel44@yahoo.com

[freebreath]

That is the way it was for me! I quit smoking and right away discovered I had to quit drinking coffee. When I did that, I also discovered that I needed more sleep then I was getting. As my breathing became smooth and full I find that I am much less reactive to the many things that do come up.

I really do not miss it. Do not miss the way I felt as a smoker. Do not miss the smell. Do not miss the redundant patterns.

[ready-to-quit]

This is the best Website to help you stop smoking. I was a smoker for 36 years and never thought I would be able to give it up. I am able to come on the WebSite for support, If I have a problem or if I want to brag about how good I am doing not craving cigerettes, everyone is there to listen, and they are so supportive. It has only been 1 week today that I quit, but I am so proud of myself, sorry if I sound like a ham, but this is such a big thing for me. I thank God for this Website and all the members who have become my friends.