could be used as a treatment method for quitting smoking

Is it possible to reduce cigarette and nicotine cravings by going down to the gym and doing a workout? That was the subject of a recent new study published by the clinical journal, Addictive Behaviors.

The results were pretty varied overall but there were some definite positive craving reducing effects in many of the volunteers. The researchers said that most of the volunteers who took part in the study had significantly lower cravings immediately after working out but the craving reduction did not always last for long. In some cases the craving only went away for a few hours but in other cases they disappeared for as long as two days.

Professor David Williams from Brown University explained that exercise could be used as a treatment method for quitting smoking but that it needed to be done frequently and regularly if it was to have any significant impact because of the fact that the effects disappear over time.

One of the factors why exercise is a often good thing is because it releases those feel good chemicals like dopamine in the brain which can be similar to the same feel good chemicals that smoking produces. Even a short intense workout can greatly help some people trying to quit smoking.

Exercise not only reduces smoking craving but has been shown to reduce stress and depression as well as boost your immune system and generally make you healthier. Adding exercise to your quit smoking attempt will significantly improve the chances of you succeeding as well as giving you other health benefits.  It's definitely worth thinking about! 

Even many months after you have quit smoking you may find yourself in a stressful situation which might make you really want to reach for your cigarettes. Getting exercise at this point could be vital in giving you the strength to overcome those cravings and set you back after all your hard work.

If you can't get down to a gym go for a long brisk walk instead take deep breaths of air and try and think of positive things.