I’m Afraid of Being too Stressed if I Don’t Smoke/Vape

Nicotine, the substance present in tobacco and vaping products, is what gives the illusion that it can relieve stress or relax you. In reality, this illusion only provides temporary relief for the unpleasant sensations you experience when you’re quitting nicotine. This is the circle of addiction.

When you decide to smoke/vape to reduce or manage your anxiety, all you’re doing is satisfying a craving due to the absence of nicotine. This absence manifests as a state of tension and other symptoms, such as headaches, irritability, nervousness, etc. These unpleasant symptoms occur naturally at regular intervals because the body is eliminating nicotine. Various thoughts, emotions or situations can also trigger them.

You can break the vicious circle by adopting some of the following strategies when you feel a nicotine craving for smoking/vaping:

• Take two or three deep breaths (deep inhale and slow exhale) and see how that makes you feel, while trying to focus on the here and now. It may seem strange, but taking this time to reflect with yourself may help alleviate a craving and teach you how to breathe again. This technique is called “cardiac coherence.” You will find it in the next mental roadblock with other tips for accepting cravings and allowing them to pass.
  
  
• Cravings are attached to habits (being in the car, having a coffee, taking a break, being with friends, etc.), and you can adopt different techniques to rethink your habits (doing physical activity, replacing coffee with tea, talking with colleagues without going outside when you take a break).
  
• Seek out other sources of pleasure. You know yourself better than anyone else – could your attempt lead you to try some things you really want to do?

Exploring the three parts of this section as they will prepare you to get the most of the innovative and effective strategies offered by I QUIT NOW online help.