Members,
Many people smoke because they believe it helps them cope with stress. If this sounds like you, you'll need to learn how to handle stress without nicotine and tobacco.
Stress is a normal part of everyone's life and there are healthy ways of dealing with it. You can join a support group, or plan to quit at the same time as a friend so you can help each other through the rough spots. You can change or avoid the sources of stress. You can change the way that you respond to stress and you can learn to relax by listening to soft music, having a nice hot bath or shower, going for a brisk walk, reading a good book, or practicing relaxation exercises.
How do I reduce my stress?
You can try to change the source of your stress. For example, if you're having a conflict with someone, try talking about your differences. Find some "middle ground” that you both can live with.
Sometimes you have to be assertive and let others know how you feel about their actions. You also need to look for alternate ways of dealing with a stressful situation. The more you prepare and the more options you have for coping, the lower your stress. Don't rely on a single coping strategy to deal with stress (like smoking or chewing).
Samantha, Bilingual Health Educator
