Why Giving Up Smoking Will Positively Affect Your Mental Health

Why Giving Up Smoking Will Positively Affect Your Mental Health

There are three main reasons why people begin smoking – that is peer pressure, temporary relaxation, and general stress. This goes for all people regardless of their mental health but can be an even stronger factor for those suffering from a mental illness. Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety or schizophrenia, there are a number of reasons why these illnesses can end up in a symbiotic relationship with tobacco.

With the Stoptober campaign well underway, now is a better time than any to make a plan to quit tobacco for good. Whilst most campaigns focus on the negative physical effects of tobacco, there are just as many reasons why tobacco can be psychologically debilitating too. We’ll dig into this more below and provide some ways that those suffering from mental illnesses can increase their chances of giving up tobacco for good.

Mental Health and Tobacco – A Short Term Fix

Whilst tobacco is often used for enhanced focus and stress relief, these are in fact short term effects. The reality is that nicotine addiction and the debilitating physical effects of tobacco can do real damage to mental health. Addiction can lead to anxiety, and diminished physical health can lead to lowered serotonin (the hormone that helps you feel pleasure) levels in the body.

Mental Illness Sufferers Are Up to Three Times More Likely to Smoke

Those suffering from mental health disorders may instinctively try to self-medicate. Smoking is a form of self-medication and therefore sufferers of depression and schizophrenia are two and three times more likely to smoke respectively.

Why Going Cold Turkey Is Ineffective?

Going cold turkey this Stoptober 2021 could be a shot in the foot. Cold turkey methods can lead to aggravated symptoms in those suffering from mental illnesses.

Solutions For Quitting If You’re Struggling with Your Mental Health

Alcohol And Triggers

Decreasing your alcohol intake can be life changing in and of itself, but it is also a great way to control those cravings for tobacco. Avoiding places where you drink or other “triggers” such as pubs and bars could also help keep those cigarette cravings under control.

Meditation And Breathing Exercises

As mentioned above, tobacco is only a temporary fix for stress relief. A much better solution is to learn some breathing exercises or even take up meditation. As you may be catching on, many of the best ways to cut tobacco from your life are also great ways to improve your mental well-being. Win-win!

Physical Exercise

Physical exercise can take your mind off tobacco and will also increase the levels of serotonin and dopamine in your body. It’s also very unappealing to smoke when your out of breath!

Vaping And Quitting

Alongside the countless guides and helplines that you can reach out to that will help you formulate a quitting plan, there is another secret weapon in the fight against tobacco and nicotine addiction. No, we’re not talking about hypnotherapy (although that can help!), but vaping. Companies such as Nicohit Manchester offer flexible nicotine concentrations in their many e-liquids that can help you gradually cut down on the amount of nicotine you use, all without the negative and debilitating effects of tobacco smoke. Starting at 18 mg, users can gradually cut down the amount of nicotine in their e-liquids at intervals of their choosing until they reach 0mg.