Today is No Smoking Day over in the UK. *waves across the ocean to Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei*

In honor of that, I wanted to write about the mental health risks associated with smoking – you know, because the physical health problems are pretty well covered. However, I was unable to find much reliable and concrete information about it. Sure, there was the occasional mention of lower IQs and the current surveys dealing with people with mental illness and their smoking habits, but, none of that suited me.

So, instead, I’ve decided to list the top five reasons why smoking is dangerous to my mental health.

Top 5 Reasons Smoking Is Dangerous To My Mental Health

#5 – Smoking does not make me happy. Regardless of the little thrill I get each time I can put an end to a nicotine-free time period by lighting up, smoking doesn’t really make me happy. What’s the point of doing something that’s both bad for my health and doesn’t make me happy?

#4 – Smoking makes me worry. It seems like I learn something new about smoking every other day. It’s been linked to blindness, psoriasis, and sleep disturbances. As if cancer weren’t enough?! Seriously. I don’t have the time or energy for all this worry. (On that note, smoking has turned me into quite the hypochondriac. Every chest pain, every stomach ache, every sore throat – it’s always cancer, I just know it.)

#3 – Smoking gives me too much to deal with. Not only can smoking affect my health, but it can also affect my physical appearance. Wrinkles, yellow teeth, discolored fingernails…yuck. Why spend money on beauty products if I’m just going to sabotage myself by smoking? Plus, I’m too narcissistic for this crap. Premature wrinkles and decaying teeth are just not things I want deal with – especially if I’ve caused them myself!

#2 – Smoking stresses me out. Do I have enough cigarettes to make it through the night? Does my new boss allow smoke breaks? Gas went up how much?! There’s no way I can smoke and drive today! Yes, these are all things that have gone through my mind at some point, and honestly, it’s quite stressful. No one should have to factor in little sticks of tobacco, paper, and cotton when balancing their finances and planning their daily schedules.

#1 – Smoking makes me feel guilty. This is the number one reason why smoking is dangerous to my mental health. I feel guilty all the time! Over everything! Spending hard earned money on cigarettes, polluting other peoples’ air (and my pets’ air) with cancer-causing cigarette smoke, disrespecting my body and everything in it, hurting family members and friends by speeding up my death – you name it, and I feel guilty about it.

So, what about the rest of you smokers? How does smoking negatively impact your mental health? Or, how did smoking negatively affect your mental health to the point that you finally quit?

The UK’s official No Smoking Day Web site offers a wealth of information and resources to help you quit smoking. Whether you’re from the UK, America, or Timbuktu, they’re worth checking out!

The above flickr image is owned by Ian Burt and being used according to these Creative Commons conditions.

Post from: Blisstree

Top 5 Reasons Smoking Is Dangerous To My Mental Health