Smoking and Stress - Mental Health Awareness Week 2018

Mental Health Awareness Week 2018 runs from 14^th to 20^th May, with this year’s main focus being stress.  Research has shown that two thirds of us experience a mental health problem in our lifetimes, and stress is a key factor in this.

Stress is very common, affecting us when we feel unable to cope with unwelcome pressure. It can cause physical symptoms like headaches or breathlessness as well as making people feel irritable, anxious or low. Many people choose to ease these symptoms by smoking cigarettes, thinking that a cigarette will make them feel better.

It’s a complete myth that smoking helps you relax, smoking increases anxiety and stress.  

When people stop smoking, studies show:

• Anxiety, depression and stress levels are lower
• Quality of life and positive mood improve
• The dosage of some medicines used to treat mental health problems can be reduced

Quitting smoking will give your mental health and wellbeing a boost and relieve any stress symptoms you may be experiencing. Yorkshire Smokefree is here to support you through your quit journey. We can help with potential triggers, coping techniques, nicotine replacement therapies and much more.

Yorkshire Smokefree has helped thousands of people quit and we’re ready to help you too. 

Call us today on 0800 612 0011 (free from landlines) or 0330 660 1166 (free from most mobiles). 

You can also find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week by visiting the Mental Health Foundations website.