Still Smoking? Exercise May Help!

While smoking has been on the decline over the past 25 years, nearly one billion people still smoke daily, according to a new analysis from the Global Burden of Disease study. Researchers found that one out of every four men still smoke daily, as do one out of every 20 women.

Smoking is the second-leading cause of death globally. According to the study findings, more than 11% of all global deaths in 2015 were attributed to smoking, totaling 6.4 million. And over half of these smoking-related deaths took place in just four countries: the United States, China, India, and Russia.

"Robust tobacco control efforts have led to progress in reducing the deadly habit of smoking in much of the world, but much more can be done," said senior author Dr. Emmanuela Gakidou, Professor of Global Health at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington in Seattle. "Growth in the sheer number of daily smokers still outpaces the global decline in daily smoking rates, indicating the need to prevent more people from starting the tobacco habit and to encourage smokers to quit."

How Exercise Can Help You Quit 

If you’re trying to quit smoking, exercise can be a powerful part of your quit-smoking plan. This is because it can help you curb cravings and withdrawal symptoms during and up to 50 minutes afterward. Other benefits include: 

• Fewer thoughts of smoking
• Improved stress management
• Better mood
• Less weight gain
• Decreased appetite
• More energy

Meditation & Holistic Rehab Treatment 

As you pursue a lifestyle free of chemical substances, including cigarettes, you'll likely be faced with many events, places, and situations that trigger the desire to use. Taking a few moments to meditate at work, in the car, or before stressful situations can lead to more mindful decisions and more strength to remain sober and nicotine-free. To learn more about the addiction treatment at Complete Harmony, call today: 866-930-4673.

Make Your Plan to Stop Smoking Today

It’s the Great American Smokeout, an awareness day designed to help smokers kick their nicotine habit. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), those who quit — even for one day — lower their cancer risk and take a key step toward a healthier life.

There’s no better time than today to add quitting smoking to your list of recovery to-dos. Here are some science-backed methods that may make it a bit easier – and, perhaps the best part, they are great lifestyle choices for sustaining long-term sobriety, too. 

• Pursue a new hobby or passion. According to a study in the journal PLOS ONE, participating in an exciting activity can activate the same reward system in the brain that's triggered by nicotine. And if you choose a self-expanding activity, such as puzzle-solving, games, or hobbies with one’s partner, you’ll further reduce cravings for nicotine.
• Get moving. Exercise can help decrease those “nic fits” by releasing the feel-good chemicals serotonin and dopamine in your brain. 
• Make time to meditate. Even if you’re not consciously trying to quit smoking, practicing mindfulness meditation has been shown to help smokers cut back. 
• Load up on fresh produce. Next time you crave a cigarette, grab a carrot stick or apple. The simple act of snacking on fruits and veggies has been shown to help promote a tobacco-free lifestyle, according to research from the University at Buffalo.

Meditation & Holistic Rehab Treatment 

As you pursue a lifestyle free of chemical substances, including cigarettes, you'll likely be faced with many events, places, and situations that trigger the desire to use. Taking a few moments to meditate at work, in the car, or before stressful situations can lead to more mindful decisions and more strength to remain sober and nicotine-free. To learn more about the addiction treatment at Complete Harmony, call today: 866-930-4673.