Exercise Can Help Curb Cigarette Cravings, Study Finds
If you’re looking to quit smoking, try taking a brisk walk or riding a bike to help ease your craving for a cigarette. New research shows that even one exercise session can significantly lessen the desire to smoke. The type of exercise matters, too.
A study reviewing 59 trials with over 9,000 participants found that high-intensity aerobic activities are the best way to reduce cravings. According to the findings published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science, exercising not only cuts cravings immediately but also continues to be effective for up to 30 minutes after working out.
The researchers discovered that people who engage in regular exercise have a 15% to 21% higher chance of quitting smoking compared to those who do not exercise. On average, smokers who exercised reduced their daily cigarette intake by about two cigarettes.
Besides helping to curb cravings, exercise offers additional benefits, such as reducing anxiety and stress—common triggers for smoking. Physical activity can boost levels of feel-good hormones like dopamine and lower stress hormones like cortisol, which makes it easier to resist the urge to smoke.
The authors of the study believe that integrating exercise into anti-smoking programs could improve success rates for those trying to quit. They also noted that future studies should explore the impact of physical activity on vaping, as none of the current trials included e-cigarettes.
Overall, adding exercise to your daily routine could be a simple yet effective strategy for quitting smoking and improving your overall well-being.
