Cigarettes certainly exacerbated all the negative emotions, severe stress and hyperactivity in my life. The first time I realised this was just before the interview for my current job - I didn't want to smell like smoke so instead of smoking I just took a brisk walk around the block. Not only did I get the job but I was totally calm, didn't stink, and finally learned just how much the smoking cranked up my system. They don't calm you down, they just appease an addiction. The calm you feel is a fix. Like a heroin addict. But we look down on them more - why? I just can't understand.
On my trip home last month, my dearest old friend told me she felt I was a much more calm, positive person now. We weren't talking about smoking in particular, she just came out with it. I knew the reason immediately!
x T
My Mileage:
My Quit Date: 1/1/2007 Smoke-Free Days: 1173 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 26,979 Amount Saved: �7,419.23 Life Gained: Days: 104 Hrs: 16 Mins: 13 Seconds: 35
In studies that have analyzed the impact of life stressors, depression,
emotional support, marital status, and income, researchers have concluded that
an individual with a high stress level is approximately 15 times more likely to
be a smoker than a person with low stress. About half of smokers identify
workplace stress as a key factor in their smoking behaviour.
