Smoking Alternatives

[Joystick22]

The reasons i smoke are to make my self feel good or to help when im stressed. When im at work or something and go for a break having that smoke just helps me get through the day cause it just makes you feel good or calm you down when your stressed. They say to like take a deep breath or something when your stressed, but it just doesnt work like a cigarette does.

Is there any like drug or something you can take that isnt bad for you that helps make you feel good and relax you? Thank You.

[Jennifer375]

smoking is both a physical and mental addiction that ranks up there with heroin,,, trading one addiction for anouther may help your body get rid of the chemical build up from the first substance for a while... but in the long run the replacement substance will do the same thing,, toxify you and hurt your body in the end.

Point being, I cant disagree with Kathys assertion that most alternatives just arent really worth it. You really have to just take the time to look at the triggers that brought you to smoke in the first place, figure out why you like smoking (because its something you have to kind of learn even if inhailing addicts you the first time which it usually does, but before that it tastes/smells pretty gross) and try figure out if thats really how you want to keep living.

Its probably not or you wouldnt have posted, so something in you is wise enough to realize this is causing discomfort somehow (socially, physically or mentally) and you might like to live differently, but just arent sure how yet. I wish you the best,,, may your higher self (if you believe in such things) continue to bless you with greater gifts of health.

Jennifer

[kathyjo]

Are you running from reality? Every day there are stresses but it's up to you to learn to deal with them and hopefully without the use of any "substance." Sometimes people need the help of a anti-depressant/anxiety drug to get them through a difficult period but that should be discussed between that person and their doctor.
It is a fallacy that smoking helps stress. Read on:
"Smokers often report that cigarettes help relieve feelings of stress. However, the stress levels of adult smokers are slightly higher than those of nonsmokers, adolescent smokers report increasing levels of stress as they develop regular patterns of smoking, and smoking cessation leads to reduced stress. Far from acting as an aid for mood control, nicotine dependency seems to exacerbate stress".
The above statement is absolutely true! It is the smoker who labels their addiction to cigarettes as a "stress reliever." I know this only to well as I smoked for 38 years and used that excuse myself : )
As for making you feel better, keep doing it and you will see what a crock that is! It made me feel "cool" when I was 12 & 13, but at 52 it makes you realize how many years were wasted on it and I just hope that I will escape all of those nasty side effects that seem to happen to most smokers!
Do yourself a favor and take up yoga or join a gym.....both alternatives are great stress relievers : )
Good luck : )
Kathy Jo