You’re An Idiot If You Think Smoking Cigarettes Helps Relieve Stress
A recent study from the University of East London proves that smoking as a form of stress relief is a complete myth; the exact opposite is true: smoking causes stress.
Psychologist Dr. Andy Parrot points out the fact that nicotine actually increases tension and anxiety. Parrot believes smoking to be a vicious cycle causing smokers stress, then giving them the illusion of relief once they smoke, only to cause more stress and anxiety.
Researchers conducting a similar study assessed stress and anxiety in those who recently quit smoking. 491 participants were observed and asked to fill out surveys during their progression in a cessation program at a clinic in England. Here are the results according to WebMD:
“After six months, people who had given up smoking scored around 12 points lower on a scale of anxiety than people who had relapsed. The scale, called the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), measures anxiety on a scale of 20 to 80.
The average person has a score of around 35, while someone with anxiety usually scores 50 or higher. A change of seven points is what doctors usually class as meaningful. People who gave up smoking reduced their anxiety score by nine points compared to before they gave up.”
So basically, if you are a stressed-out smoker, you are looking at tough times ahead of you. Quitting smoking isn’t easy because of all the anxiety it causes.
But if you keep smoking, you will keep feeling anxious and stressed. Better quit now- it’ll only get more difficult as time goes on.
Paul Hudson | Elite.
