How to cope with stress

Smoking helps me relax and cope with stress

This is not true. In fact, smoking makes your heart beat faster, your breathing quicker, and your blood pressure higher. Nicotine also wears off quickly which makes you feel tense, making you reach out for another cigarette to stop that craving. When that craving stops, you feel relaxed. As you can see, you will feel relaxed for only a short period of time until the nicotine wears out again. It's a dangerous cycle.

Why not think about other things besides smoking that will help you achieve the same result? Examples may be deep breathing, taking a walk.











Back to Top
Email icon Print icon A A A
Continue to Step 2
Need a Hand?

Call the Quitline 13QUIT

Professional support to help you stop smoking.

Helping Others Quit

Helping Others Quit You can play an important part in supporting someone to quit.

Find out more.