The commonest reason for starting and continuing tobacco given by most people is STRESS.
The reason one starts tobacco -stress of studies, stress of work, stress of being in relation, stress of job (like drivers, night watchman). To that extent the people given the reason of tobacco for being in the profession like doctor and lawyer.
One straight question to them – those who do not take tobacco are they not performing the duties? Or are those who do not take tobacco not to be in the profession.
No scientific data has proven that tobacco is a stress buster.
Nicotine the mood-altering drug, reaches brain in 8-10 seconds and it seems to decrease the feelings of frustration, anger, and anxiety. This action is through the various neurotransmitter like dopamine release from the activation of nicotine acetylcholine receptor. This release is temporary and ones the dopamine level goes down the feeling is worse than before, tempting the person to smoke again. A person addicted to smoking would not be able to perform his duties with out smoke.
Chewing tobacco release nicotine slowly and for this purpose a chewer tends to keep the chew in his mouth constantly. A smoker is likely to become a chewer because there is a constant release of nicotine and dopamine stimulation, keeping the person high through out and making him addicted more than ever.
Tobacco (smoking or chewing)may make you feel calmer, but it actually increases the level of stress in your body and causes negative reactions –
- Increase in blood pressure
- Increase in heart rate
- Tensed muscles
- Constricted blood vessels
- A decrease in oxygen carrying capacity of blood
With awareness and education – Tobacco use causes stress – the mind is stressed that the habit is going to cause some disease. The person tries to quit but unfortunately the failed attempts and frustration leads to more stress.
What should one do to relieve stress:
- Meditate – Deep breathing exercise and visualization can instantly help you control your stress. This can be done any where even when you are in the board meeting or while on the job.
- Exercise – take a walk do some yoga, cycling, swimming any sports activity. The release of endorphins with exercise makes one feel good and can lift your spirits tremendously.
- Diet – a healthy diet can calm your mind. Ayurveda has put a lot of emphasis on the type of food and our mood.
- Medication – many anxiolytics are available. Need to be used only one absolutely necessary. Most are sedative. A non-sedative medication Relaxium (lactium and theanine combination) may be most appropriate.
Tobacco is harmful to the body and no reasons can justify its use by anyone.
To relieve stress of tobacco use, quitting tobacco is a must. The journey of quitting tobacco can be made easy by adopting the right method. Tobacco is a disease and it is a complex disease, it needs a specialist to plan with behavioural and cognitive therapy, pharmacotherapy and comorbid therapy. Do check the 7D of tobacco cessation.
NO BODY TAKING TOBACCO CAN BE FREE OF STRESS !
The ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Program incorporates all the above in the digitalized protocol based intervention program designed by Mr Rishabh Agrawal.
ICanCaRe team of Certified tobacco Cessation Specialists and Quit Coaches work with you to make your journey smooth, easy, interesting and achievable.
ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Centres with its India’s first digital protocol based assessment process guide intervention as per requirements.
Do visit the ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Centers or register online by visiting our page or call ICanCaRe quitline 011-43077695
