Episode 129: Can Quitting Smoking Help You Sleep Better?

Sleeping is one of the most important ways to stay physically and cognitively alert. However, in the digital age, many of our lifestyles can cause disrupt our natural body clock. This can heighten our risks of developing mental and physical health conditions.

Ultimately, it can impact our overall quality of life.

With this in mind, our article ‘10 Sleep Hacks to Live Better' outlines several health tips that can improve both sleep hygiene and sleep quality. These include exercising in the morning, stabilizing your blood sugar, and elevating serotonin in your body. But one area you may not have considered may be smoking. Here’s how quitting cigarettes can help you sleep better.

Why quitting smoking helps you sleep better


Smoking is known to adversely affect our overall health by compromising our immune system and leaving us vulnerable to various health conditions. However, a study published by Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences has also found that smoking has adverse effects on sleep-related issues, as well.

Smokers are 47% more likely to suffer from sleep-related issues compared to non-smokers. This is because smoking is linked to depression, obesity, diabetes, and other disorders — all of which can result in sleep-related problems.

For this reason, smoking cessation can help significantly improve your sleep — while simultaneously targeting other health issues that may compromise your quality of life.

What you can do to quit smoking

Nicotine replacement therapy

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is one of the most effective ways to transition from smoking. Going cold turkey is proven to be largely ineffective: it requires you to undergo abrupt nicotine deprivation, intensifying your withdrawal symptoms. By using NRT, you can better adjust by gradually lowering your consumption until you are less dependent on tobacco. You can look into a few alternatives, including patches, gums, lozenges, and pouches.

The nicotine pouch is one popular choice: it’s discreet, does not emit smoke, and is easy to use. All you need to do is tuck it between your gum and upper lip to get a steady dose of nicotine. You may prefer this option, as the best brands provide more benefits than just being smokeless and tobacco-free. Take the Velo pouches listed on Prilla, which are commonly used because they satisfy psychological withdrawal symptoms. These pouches help users train their brains to think they’re still using traditional tobacco products by emulating the tactile sensation of using tobacco.

Another NRT method you can try are nicotine inhalers, which are also known for mimicking the hands-to-mouth motion of cigarettes. The Voke nicotine inhaler is used by sucking on the cigarette-shaped device for a blast of nicotine. This satisfies both the physiological and psychological withdrawal symptoms that you might have during smoking cessation, making your journey easier.

Behavioral counseling interventions


Receiving social support can go a long way in keeping you from undertaking your smoking cessation journey alone. The US Preventive Services Task Force explains that behavioral interventions can substantially benefit smoking adults: those who seek social support reflect more sincerity in their smoking cessation. They also benefit from having greater accountability.

Behavioral interventions can be delivered by primary care physicians or within a community setting. The most effective interventions come in the form of advice from medical professionals, counseling with a cessation specialist, group behavioral interventions, or through mobile phone- based interventions. These methods allow you to have someone to reach out to and offer reassurance and encouragement when you need it.

Good sleep goes hand-in-hand with better health and quality of life. By starting on a sustainable smoking cessation journey, you can prioritize your long-term well-being.

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Posted 
November 14, 2022
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Episode 129: Can Quitting Smoking Help You Sleep Better?

Episode 129: Can Quitting Smoking Help You Sleep Better?