Most smokers believe that smoking can lessen stress, but a new study has found that stress levels may fall after the person quits smoking.
It was found that those smokers who tried to kick the habit of smoking for a year after getting hospitalized for heart disease had a reduction in their observed stress levels. But stress levels remained unaffected among those patients who went back to their old habit. It was also established that smoking is essentially connected to chronic stress. Smokers who quit experienced a 20% decline in their stress level compared to those patients who continued smoking.
Below are 4 reasons why quitting smoking can actually lessen your stress.
Quitting cuts your nicotine dependence. The more cigarettes you smoke, the more your body gets addicted to nicotine. And when this happens, your body starts to crave for nicotine every time its level drop below the usual dose. Every time your body craves for nicotine, it experiences partial withdrawal symptoms. This stresses you without even noticing it. Quitting frees your body from this addiction. And when your body finally recovers from nicotine addiction, your stress level will be more manageable.
Quitting helps improve your blood circulation. When you smoke, your blood vessels harden and constrict. Good blood circulation is very important in managing your stress level. The better the blood flow in your body the lower your stress level is. But when your blood vessels are constricted, things turn worse for your body. However, quitting smoking helps restore your blood vessels’ normal capability to transport oxygen and other nutrients needed by your body. The more you stay away from cigarettes, the lower your stress level becomes.
Quitting helps improve your health. Keeping a healthy and active lifestyle may significantly lessen your stress. Eating healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits can help speed up your body’s recovery process. Daily exercise may also help cut your anxiety and stress, speed up the healing process of your body.
Quitting lessens the toxins in your body. What is so wonderful about the human body is its natural capability to heal itself. The moment you stop smoking, your body starts to repair the damages caused by smoking. It flushes out the toxins that have accumulated in your body. Toxins, such as nicotine, tar, and other harmful chemicals are directly associated with your stress level. The higher the toxins the higher the stress level. So remove the toxins and your body is relieved.
However, quitting can be very stressful at times. But this is only temporary and not lingering as compared to the stress you experience when smoking. You may not notice it but your body greatly suffers from your habit and the only way to protect yourself is to quit for good. It is not easy, and you know it, but it is the only way if you want to live a longer and happier life.
Stress can deprive you of your health. It further worsens your present health condition and completely deprives you of your health.
