TAKING CONTROL: Managing stress
A word about smoking, quitting, and stress.
Like anything else that is harmful to the body, smoking causes stress. But, like all lifestyle changes, quitting smoking can also cause stress, at least for the first few weeks. Stress can be a big trigger when you're quitting, so it's important to know how to handle it.
What can you do to manage stress?
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Do something you enjoy every day.
- Get realistic goals.
- Don't put things off.
- Ask for help.
- Don't take on more responsibilities than you can handle.
- Enjoy the small pleasures in life, like a nice sunset.
- Avoid long lines, heavy traffic, and other stressful situations.
- Choose to be around supportive people.
- Take time to laugh.
- Eat well and drink lots of water.
- Talk with others about your problems-don't keep your feelings bottled up.
- Close your eyes and do some deep breathing.
- Keep a journal.
- Get some physical activity every day.
- Take a long bath or shower.
You may not be able to control all the sources of stress in your life. But you can control how you respond to them.
SEE THE HELPLINE FACT SHEET: Stress
