Page last reviewed: 1 March Next review due: 1 March Stopping smoking for your mental health - Quit smoking Secondary navigation Smoking facts Passive smoking 10 myths about stop smoking treatments Paan, bidi and shisha Using e-cigarettes to stop smoking Unders guide to quitting smoking Stopping smoking for your mental health. NHS stop smoking services Take steps NOW to stop smoking 10 self-help tips to stop smoking Stop smoking without putting on weight What to do if you relapse after quitting Coping with cravings.
Smoking, anxiety and mood Most smokers say they want to stop, but some continue because smoking seems to relieve stress and anxiety. Why it feels like smoking helps us relax Smoking cigarettes interferes with certain chemicals in the brain.
Cutting out smoking does improve mood and reduces anxiety. The mental health benefits of quitting smoking When people stop smoking, studies show: anxiety, depression and stress levels are lower quality of life and positive mood improve the dosage of some medicines used to treat mental health problems can be reduced Smokers with mental health problems People with mental health problems, including anxiety , depression or schizophrenia : are much more likely to smoke than the general population tend to smoke more heavily die on average 10 to 20 years earlier than those who don't experience mental health problems — smoking plays a major role in this difference in life expectancy need higher doses of some antipsychotic medicines and antidepressants because smoking interferes with the way these medicines work Stopping smoking can be as effective as antidepressants People with mental health problems are likely to feel much calmer and more positive, and have a better quality of life, after giving up smoking.
Tips to stop smoking If you want to stop smoking, contact your local stop smoking service , which provides the best chance of stopping completely and forever. Here are some ways to boost your chances of stopping smoking for good. Use stop smoking treatments like nicotine replacement therapy NRT or e-cigarettes. But this strategy doesn't work for everyone. You may find it's better for you to go "cold turkey" and stop smoking all at once.
Look into using a nicotine replacement if you need to. If you find that none of these strategies is working, talk to your doctor about treatments like nicotine replacement gums, patches, inhalers, or nasal sprays. Sprays and inhalers are available by prescription only, and it's important to see your doctor before buying the patch and gum over the counter. Different treatments work differently for example, the patch is easy to use, but other treatments offer a faster kick of nicotine.
Your doctor can help you find the solution that will work best for you. If you slip up, don't give up! Major changes sometimes have false starts. If you're like many people, you may quit successfully for weeks or even months and then suddenly have a craving that's so strong you feel like you have to give in. Or maybe you accidentally find yourself in one of your trigger situations and give in to temptation. If you slip up, it doesn't mean you've failed.
It just means you're human. Here are three ways to get back on track:. Reward yourself. Quitting smoking isn't easy. Give yourself a well-deserved reward! Set aside the money you usually spend on cigarettes. When you've stayed tobacco-free for a week, 2 weeks, or a month, give yourself a treat like a gift card, movie, or some clothes. Celebrate again every smoke-free year. You earned it. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size.
Where to Start Smokers often start smoking because friends or family do. These tips can help you quit, too: Put it in writing. Strategies That Work Set a quit date. Once you've figured out your triggers, try these tips: Break the link.
If you smoke when you drive, get a ride to school, walk, or take the bus for a few weeks so you can break the connection. If you normally smoke after meals, do something else after you eat, like go for a walk or talk to a friend. Change the place. If you and your friends usually eat takeout in the car so you can smoke, sit in the restaurant instead.
Think ahead to times where it might be difficult a party, for instance , and plan your actions and escape routes in advance. Is your after-dinner cigarette your favourite? A US study revealed that some foods, including meat, make cigarettes more satisfying. Others, including cheese, fruit and vegetables, make cigarettes taste terrible. So swap your usual steak or burger for a veggie pizza instead. You may also want to change your routine at or after mealtimes. Getting up and doing the dishes straight away or settling down in a room where you don't smoke may help.
The same US study as above also looked at drinks. Fizzy drinks, alcohol, cola, tea and coffee all make cigarettes taste better. So when you're out, drink more water and juice. Some people find simply changing their drink for example, switching from wine to a vodka and tomato juice affects their need to reach for a cigarette. And think about this: the combination of smoking and drinking raises your risk of mouth cancer by 38 times.
There's also support available from your local stop smoking service. Did you know that you're up to 4 times more likely to quit successfully with their expert help and advice?
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