Trying to quit smoking? Well, new research out this summer suggests that you may have a harder time being successful if you are a woman. Indeed, a review of clinical trials by Dr. Shiffman at the University of Pittsburgh indicates that women have a 25% lower success rate than men who are trying to quit.
New theories among research psychologists outline the role emotions and stress reactions play in quitting for women. Basicly, it seems that relapse back to cigarettes is often triggered in women because of experiencing acute emotion. The researchers aren’t saying that women are more emotional. They are just saying that women turn to smoking when they are dealing with high stress and that cigarettes play a larger role in women’s lives in reducing negative mood, stabilizing weight, and managing the stresses of every day life. Hence, it is harder for women to give up their cigarettes, and they are at higher risk for relapse when something stressful happens.
Physicians have also noticed that women do not do as well with first-line treatments for smoking cessation - nicotine replacement. Women may do better with stress management techniques. So if you are trying to quit, try some of these strategies to manage stress and keep a better handle on your quit program:
1) Try short term therapy
2) Exercise, especially yoga and pilates
3) Talk to friends daily
4) Journal
5) Listen to music or read a good book
6) Deep breathing and muscle relaxation
7) Make sure you’re getting good sleep
8) Be sure to tell yourself positive things about your efforts
9) Pamper yourself
10) Coordinate your quit program around time-off at work
