Smoking as a Stress Reducer
Tuesday, July 1st, 2008
Many people care less about the taste of smoking than they do about the feeling of relaxation that they get from it. We know, physiologically, that smoking is not a relaxant. However, the Psychological relaxation benefits are significant and well-documented.
The pressures of everyday life can be exorbitant. People tend to grasp at anything that can reliably and consistently help them reduce pressure and stress. By smoking, you can engage in a behavior that, even for a brief period of time, gives you an excuse to take a break. You don’t have to be concerned about a boss or someone looking at you and wondering why you’re sitting and doing nothing. Your justification is that you’re in the process of lighting up. Therefore, anything that may be asked of you is put on hold for that short period of time. Further, if you’re talking to people and you don’t know what to say, taking a drag of a cigarette can be a momentary respite.
You can also relax by smoking simply because of the deep breathing that is required. Deep breathing, which by its very nature is calming, is more a part of the smoking process than is normal breathing. Research indicates that smokers take more deep breaths than nonsmokers.
Smoking can also be relaxing because it’s nice to anticipate. Isn’t it comforting to look forward to something that will provide a few moments of pleasure? Stress and the world around you are briefly put aside. You can focus exclusively on something you enjoy.
Herbal vaporizers are currently on the market which can help you to get rid of smoke.