Many people who smoke cigarettes say that they do it to relieve any stress that they may have. Smoking does and it does not relieve stress.

When you inhale the nicotine from a cigarette it causes your blood vessels to constrict, this interferes with your blood circulation. When you get stressed your blood goes to your muscles so that they can react, they tense up. Smoking interferes with the blood circulation and makes the stress worse!!

On the other hand, the act of putting a cigarette to your mouth and taking it away plus the deep breathing of the smoke helps relieve stress. It is the adult equivalent of sucking on a dummy!

Next time you get stresses get hold of a dummy and suck on it. It will give you the same relief as smoking a cigarette.
This exercise releases feel good hormones into the system and the act of counting means that you cannot concentrate on what is upsetting you. It allows you to step back and respond rather than react.

About Steve Gardiner

Stephen Gardiner originates from Rhodesia, (Zimbabwe) then working around the globe before finally settling in Brisbane Australia. As a scientist, Steve always had an interest in human development, especially Mind Plastisicity and how we cope with stress, anxiety and addictive behaviours. Over the past 15 years Steve has assisted many clients to transform their lives by resolving the obstacles holding them back.

Entries by Steve Gardiner