How Stress Leads to Smoking: Causes, Effects and Management

This essay examines the correlation between stress and smoking, highlighting how stress can lead individuals to adopt smoking as a coping mechanism. It delves into the illusion of stress relief provided by smoking, emphasizing its long-term detrimental effects and the potential for addiction. The essay further argues that smoking, rather than alleviating stress, can exacerbate it, leading to various health problems. It proposes healthier alternatives such as relaxation techniques, meditation, and exercise as effective stress management strategies to avoid the harmful consequences of smoking, advocating for a proactive approach to mental and physical well-being.

Running head: STRESS AND SMOKING
Stress and Smoking
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1STRESS AND SMOKING
In the fast-paced, dynamic world of today, stress and the consequent anxiety has
become a part and parcel of the modern man’s everyday life (Seaward, 2017). From
participating in the rat race to coping up with one’s responsibilities, stress is an aspect that is
inevitable. Some of the common causes for stress may be being unhappy in one’s job, facing
tensions in the family or even sudden unexpected changes that present itself (Boss, Bryant &
Mancini, 2016). However, excessive stress may also lead to smoking. This discussion
explores how uncurbed amounts of stress can influence an individual to begin smoking.
Individuals who feel extremely pressurized look for ways to lighten the immense
pressure. This chaotic state of mind may lead one to seek ways that may be extremely
unhealthy for them (Figley & McCubbin, 2016). Smoking is one of the easiest methods to
alleviate these bouts of anxiety. Thus, lighting a cigarette may be one of the first routes that
an individual embraces whilst battling their inner demons. For instance, if one faces issues
that they cannot grapple with, smoking may be used as a method of coping with their
mental pressure. Many believe that smoking alleviates unpleasant feelings or even the worst
cases of depression. However, adopting the method of smoking to battle stress on a
continuous basis may transform smoking into an addiction (Fluharty et al., 2016). In this
scenario, an individual is required to combat stress and consequently deal with their
newfound addiction as well. Thus, smoking in order to relieve stress may trigger greater
problems if not dealt with in its initial stages.
Moreover, it must be accepted that smoking is not a long term solution for stress-
relief. Even though smoking presents itself as an ideal solution to those who are undergoing a
great deal of stress, it leads to hazardous consequences if not dealt with effectively. Even
though smoking may be serve as a temporary stress reliever, one has to come to terms with
the fact that the stress will return inevitably. Thus, smoking is in no manner a concrete
prevention for stress. Additionally, many studies have concluded that smoking in actuality

2STRESS AND SMOKING
leads to more stress. This added stress can cause a great deal of health problems such as
headaches (Schramm et al., 2015). In fact, the nicotine addiction that develops due to
continuous smoking will trigger an individual’s stress levels to a great extent. Moreover, the
cravings for nicotine forces one’s body to undergo a process of withdrawal, which leads to an
overwhelming level of stress. Thus, even though smoking may disguise itself as an easy
solution for stress, it must be avoided at all costs in order to prevent life-long diseases.
Many smokers find it incredibly difficult to quit smoking. The nicotine that enters the
bloodstream lead to a temporary happy feeling. However, once these feelings subside, the
individual feels extremely depressed; worse than the initial stress levels. Hence, smoking
due to stress may lead to irreversible physical ailments. Moreover, the notion that
smoking causes stress relief may be identified as ‘self-medication.’ Nevertheless, the
overwhelming feelings to deal with unwelcomed pressure is another strong reason why
many individuals adopt smoking. Even though smoking may seem to be a feasible option to
release stress, one must consider all the dangerous consequences before they tread on this
path of doom. Thus, in order to rid themselves of the demon of smoking, one must adopt
healthy ways to cope with stress rather than facing the wrath of the severe consequences.
Instead of smoking, there are several other methods that may be embraced in
order to soothe one’s stress levels (Fisher, 2015). One of the best methods to relieve stress
is to substitute smoking with relaxation. The key to this practice is to discover something
that one enjoys and indulge in that practice rather than smoking. Furthermore, meditation
can also prove to be an alternative to smoking. Not only does it tactfully reduce stress but
it also aids one to fully avoid the treacherous consequences of smoking. Another healthy
alternative to smoking may be to exercise. Many researches have concluded that exercise
greatly relieves anxiety and stress (Stonerock et al., 2015). Thus, in order to free oneself from
the grasp of smoking, exercise can be imbibed in order to relieve stress in a healthy manner.

3STRESS AND SMOKING
Hence, it can be deduced that even though stress proves to be an inescapable aspect of
everyday life, there are other methods that one may consider rather than smoking.
Thus, it can be deciphered that unmanageable levels of stress and anxiety may lead to
smoking. Even though smoking may present itself as the optimal solution to deal with stress,
the adverse effects of smoking must also be duly considered. The effects of smoking are not
only physical but can also affect one’s mental health as well. Thus, it is imperative to
manage stress levels in a healthier and productive manner. Hence, it can be concluded that
rather than smoking, stress needs to be dealt with effectively in order to properly maintain
one’s physical and mental health.

4STRESS AND SMOKING
References
Boss, P., Bryant, C. M., & Mancini, J. A. (2016). Family stress management: A contextual
approach. Sage Publications.
Figley, C. R., & McCubbin, H. I. (2016). Stress and the family: Coping with catastrophe.
Routledge.
Fisher, S. (2015). Stress and strategy. Routledge.
Fluharty, M., Taylor, A. E., Grabski, M., & Munafò, M. R. (2016). The association of
cigarette smoking with depression and anxiety: a systematic review. Nicotine &
Tobacco Research, 19(1), 3-13.
Schramm, S. H., Moebus, S., Lehmann, N., Galli, U., Obermann, M., Bock, E., 201&
Katsarava, Z. (2015). The association between stress and headache: A longitudinal
population-based study. Cephalalgia, 35(10), 853-863.
Seaward, B. L. (2017). Managing stress. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Stonerock, G. L., Hoffman, B. M., Smith, P. J., & Blumenthal, J. A. (2015). Exercise as
treatment for anxiety: systematic review and analysis. Annals of behavioral
medicine, 49(4), 542-556.