‘Quit smoking’ is on your bucket list? Good… it reduces anxiety

A British Journal of Psychiatry study found that smokers who successfully quit smoking felt less anxious, despite the common belief that smokers smoke to relieve stress.

The study followed some 500 smokers who attended stop smoking clinics in England. According to the study, a significant decrease in anxiety levels was found among 68 smokers who quit after six months. The effect was greater among those who had mood and anxiety disorders than those that smoked for pleasure.

According to BBC, the study did suggest that a failed attempt seemed to increase anxiety levels by a modest degree among those who had mood disorders.  For those who smoked for pleasure a relapse did not alter anxiety levels.

The researchers said it seemed that smokers - particularly those that smoked to cope - were more likely to have a cigarette soon after waking up to stave off withdrawal symptoms, which include anxiety.

"By quitting, they removed these repeated episodes of anxiety and felt less anxious as a result," the study found.