We’re all aware that giving up smoking enhances physical wellbeing. However, it can also improve mental health and overall wellbeing by boosting our mood and reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.
The Link between Smoking, Anxiety, and Mood
Many smokers want to quit, yet some continue to smoke because it appears to alleviate stress and anxiety. It’s a widespread belief that smoking helps you relax. Yet, in reality, it actually increases anxiety and tension. Adults suffering from depression are significantly more inclined to smoke compared to those without depression.
Why does smoking appear to relax us? It disrupts certain chemicals in the brain. The urge to smoke comes about when smokers haven’t had a cigarette for a while, leading to feelings of irritability and anxiety. These negative feelings are momentarily soothed by smoking, leading smokers to associate the improved mood with the act of smoking. In truth, the anxiety experienced initially might be the reason for turning to smoking in the first place.
In effect, quitting smoking can lead to an improvement in mood and reduced anxiety.
The Mental Health Advantages of Quitting Smoking
Research has shown that when individuals quit smoking, they experience:
– Lower levels of anxiety, depression, and stress
– An enhancement in the quality of life and mood
– A decrease in the dosage of certain medications used for mental health issues
Smokers with mental health issues
Individuals with mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia:
– Are more likely to smoke than the general population
– Smoke more frequently and in larger amounts
– Have a life expectancy that is 10 to 20 years shorter than those without mental health issues, with smoking being a significant factor in this gap
– Require higher doses of certain antipsychotic and antidepressant medications due to smoking interfering with their effectiveness
– Quitting smoking can be as effective as taking antidepressants in treating anxiety and depression symptoms.
(Source: NHS, Stopping Smoking for your Mental Health)
People with mental health issues often report feeling significantly calmer and more positive, with an improved quality of life after quitting smoking.
Research suggests that the positive impact of quitting smoking on anxiety and depression symptoms is comparable to that of taking antidepressants.
Tips for Quitting Smoking
- Evidence shows that using a stop smoking services is THREE TIMES as effective as going it alone. If you’re ready to quit smoking, reach out to our expert team of specialist NHS Health Improvement Advisors. They will be with you every step of the way to give you the motivation and support you need to get you smokefree for the 28 days of Stoptober and beyond. Call 01752 437177 for free, friendly support today.
- Consider using treatments like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or e-cigarettes to significantly boost your chances of quitting for good. Our NHS Health Improvement Practitioners will be happy to talk you through all the NRT options available. However, if you’d like to read more about NRT by yourself, click HERE.
- As well as getting help from our team of specialist NHS Health Improvement Practitioners to help you quit this Stoptober, Better Health have a range of free quit tools to further increase your chances of quitting for good.
This includes the NHS Quit Smoking app, a 28-day email programme, advice on stop smoking aids including information on how vaping can help you quit smoking.
There is also a free quit calculator tool to help you see how much you’re spending on cigarettes with some thoughts on how to better spend that money.
Finally, always remember that if you’re not as successful as you’d like to be at becoming smokefree, you’ll still gain valuable insights for future quit attempts. The more familiar you become with the support available, the better prepared you’ll be for a complete smokefree future next time.