Smoke Break

I’ve got a colleague who is a chain smoker & he claims that smoke break helps him to unblock mental states & it helps him to come up with new ideas.

I never understood this logic & how this addictive & self-harming substance could help someone to perform better.

Few common claims of chain smokers are;

1. Smoking helps to reduce stress and anxiety.

   
   Why this claim is false: Smoking actually increases stress in the long run by altering brain chemistry and making the body more dependent on nicotine.
   
   

   How to avoid this: Seek alternative stress-relief methods such as exercise, meditation, or deep breathing techniques.

    

2. Smoking helps in concentration and focus.
   
   

   Why this claim is false: Nicotine addiction leads to decreased cognitive function over time, impairing concentration rather than enhancing it.
   
   

   How to avoid this: Practice mindfulness techniques and break tasks into smaller, manageable chunks to improve focus without relying on smoking.

    

3. Smoking boosts creativity and problem-solving skills.

   
   Why this claim is false: Nicotine addiction narrows blood vessels, reducing oxygen flow to the brain, which hampers cognitive function and creative thinking.
   
   

   How to avoid this: Engage in creative activities and brainstorming sessions without relying on smoking for inspiration.

    

4. Smoke break helps with socializing and networking.

   
   Why this claim is false: Smoking creates a false sense of camaraderie but can lead to isolation due to health concerns and social stigma.

   
   How to avoid this: Foster genuine connections with colleagues and peers through shared interests and activities that don’t involve smoking.

    

5. Smoking is a personal choice and doesn’t affect others.

   
   Why this claim is false: Secondhand smoke poses serious health risks to those around smokers, contributing to various respiratory illnesses and diseases.

   
   How to avoid this: Respect others’ health and well-being by refraining from smoking in shared spaces and seeking support to quit smoking altogether.

Now we know that all these claims are inherently false. It just gives smokers a guilty pleasure, nothing else.

Let’s talk about some of the biggest problems of smoking or smoke break;

1. It leads to cardiovascular diseases and increases the risk of heart attacks.

   
   How it’s affecting your life: Smoking damages blood vessels and increases blood pressure, raising the risk of heart disease and stroke.

   
   Which organs are being affected: Heart, blood vessels.

    

2. It causes respiratory issues such as chronic bronchitis and lung cancer.

   
   How it’s affecting your life: Smoking damages lung tissue and impairs lung function, leading to respiratory diseases and cancer.

   
   Which organs are being affected: Lungs, respiratory system.

    

3. It accelerates aging and damages skin, teeth, and gums.

   
   How it’s affecting your life: Smoking causes premature aging, wrinkles, dental problems, and gum disease.

   
   Which organs are being affected: Skin, teeth, gums.

    

4. It weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections.

   
   How it’s affecting your life: Smoking compromises the immune system’s ability to fight off infections and diseases.

   
   Which organs are being affected: Immune system.

    

5. It increases the risk of reproductive health issues and infertility.

   
   How it’s affecting your life: Smoking harms reproductive organs and reduces fertility in both men and women.

   
   Which organs are being affected: Reproductive organs.

Smoking is bad, and there is no doubt about it. It affects you and everyone around you.

In my short career, I’ve noticed that there is social pressure associated with smoking. I have seen many non-smokers become smokers after joining the office or adding them themselves in smoke break gossip.

This issue needs to be addressed; so let’s find out why & how this happens:

• Peer influence and social acceptance within the workplace.
  
  
• Stressful work environments leading to coping mechanisms like smoking.
  
  
• Lack of awareness about the health risks and consequences of smoking.
  
  
• Use of smoking as a bonding activity during smoke break.
  
  
• Perception of smoking as a way to alleviate boredom or pass the time.

We now understand all these problems, but now we need to find the solution to this.

I know leaving smoking sounds like an impossible target, but trust me, with proper planning & guidelines, we can achieve this as well;

Few simple tricks to leave smoking are;

1. Set a quit date and stick to it.

   
   How to do this: Commit to quitting smoking on a specific date and prepare mentally for the challenge ahead.

   
   Requirement: Determination and support from friends and family.

    

2. Identify triggers and develop coping strategies.

   
   How to do this: Recognize situations or emotions that trigger the urge to smoke and find healthier alternatives to cope with stress or boredom.

   
   Requirement: Self-awareness and willingness to change habits.

    

3. Seek professional help and support groups.

   
   How to do this: Consult a healthcare provider or join smoking cessation programs to receive guidance and encouragement throughout the quitting process.

   
   Requirement: Openness to seeking assistance and participating in therapy or counseling sessions.

    

4. Replace smoking with healthier habits.

   
   How to do this: Substitute smoking breaks with activities like walking, chewing gum, or practicing relaxation techniques to distract from cravings.

   
   Requirement: Willingness to adopt new habits and hobbies.

    

5. Stay motivated and reward yourself for milestones.

   
   How to do this: Set achievable goals and celebrate progress along the way to quitting smoking for good.

   
   Requirement: Positive mindset and perseverance to overcome challenges.

Yes, now it sounds really easy, but you need to go slow; otherwise, doing all these tricks at once might push you back;

So don’t push too hard; just think of the amazing benefits you’ll get & how it’ll positively affect your job life.

Here are 5 smoking repellent items from Amazon to help you:

• Nicotine patches: https://tinyurl.com/4sy4y5pf

  
  How to use it: Apply a patch to clean, dry skin once a day to release a steady dose of nicotine and reduce withdrawal symptoms.

• Nicotine gum: https://tinyurl.com/3spzyrrf

  
  How to use it: Chew gum whenever you experience cravings to satisfy the oral fixation and gradually reduce nicotine dependence.

• Smoke-free herbal cigarettes: https://tinyurl.com/ycxfvnzd

  
  How to use it: Use herbal cigarettes as a substitute for tobacco cigarettes to break the habit without the harmful effects of nicotine.

• Aromatherapy inhalers: https://tinyurl.com/3z7a32a3

  
  How to use it: Inhale the therapeutic vapors of essential oils like peppermint or lavender to relax and reduce cravings associated with smoking.

• Quit smoking books and guides: https://tinyurl.com/yeuh5u9b

  
  How to use it: Educate yourself about the health risks of smoking and learn effective strategies for quitting through informative books and guides.

Remember, it’s your life, and smoking is just shortening this. Don’t let yourself lose in this vicious loop; get back up & uplift yourself from this dirt.