Depression is among the most common symptom of quitting smoking. The issue can even worsen in case the patient was battling depression before. Smokers find it hard to deal with mood changes and other emotional factors. The connection between smoking and depression is complex and is underrated. Each can influence and amplify the other and that is why they should be both handled together. This article will help you understand the link between depression and smoking and how you can deal with the symptoms of both.
Connection between Smoking and Depression
Studies show that people with mental health issues are more likely to smoke. The reason for this connection is because nicotine has mood-altering effects that can alleviate anxiety, sadness and any mood associated with depression temporarily. Therefore, people with depression tend to smoke in order to deal with these symptoms. They eventually become addicted to smoking because they look for cigarettes whenever depression feelings heat them.
In the other hand, smoking also leads to depression. Long-term smoking increases the risk of getting cancer and other diseases, which can contribute to depression. While quitting smoking can be hard for people battling depression, the step can significantly improve their mental health.
Causes of Depression after Quitting Smoking
Tobacco is addictive and quitting it can lead to depression. Smoking cessation and depression go hand in hand because your body and brain have been addicted to nicotine. Therefore, trying to quit reduces your dopamine levels significantly and this caused the feeling or depression.
Another reason why people who quit smoking become depressed is because they feel like they have lost a part of themselves. Unlike before, they now have to cope without their companion “cigarette”, which helped them through difficult movements and this increases stress.
How to Deal With Depression after Quitting Smoking
There are a lot of symptoms after stopping smoking, but there are ways you can deal with them.
Exercising can help you deal with withdrawal symptoms. Try to run walk or go to the gym often and physical activity released endorphins that can help relieve some symptoms and enhance your moods
Join a support group to help you fight with the symptoms. Talking to people who are going through what you are going through and who understand you makes a difference. Discuss your feelings with others and get inspirations about how to deal with the situation.
You can talk to professionals to help you with ways and tools to deal with symptoms. They can provide medications and other safety methods to quit smoking such as vaping. Buying vapes Online Canada is allowed as long as you are of age and the brand follows health and safety regulations. The professional can also recommend nicotine patches and inhalers to help curb the cravings and make quitting bearable.
Consider setting small achievable goals and you will manage quitting eventually. Achievable goals such as going a day without cigarette or handling a stressful situation without smoking can make a difference in your quitting journey.
Smoking and depressions are highly connected. Long-term smoking can cause depression. Likewise one can get depressed when they try to stop smoking. This is because of how the body and brain becomes reliant to tobacco and trying to stop gives you the feelings of depression. However, you can deal with the symptoms by becoming physically active, joining support groups, seeking professional helps, and doing what you like.
