The “Emotional Cigarette” Can Help You Relax without Having to Use Tobacco or Electronic Vaping (Nicotine)?
The “Emotional Cigarette”
Everyone knows that smoking cigarettes is dangerous for your health but, did you know that there is a way to get the relaxation that many smokers enjoy without actually having to use tobacco or electronic cigarettes (nicotine) ?
–Research has shown that the breathing patterns of cigarette smokers and those who engage in intentional diaphragmatic breathing is similar enough to trigger a neural physiological response in our bodies which lower stress-hormone levels and helps us to feel more relaxed.
— Here are the thee steps to taking an emotional cigarette break:
1) Get in a quiet and relaxed posture and slowly breath in for a count of 5.
2) Hold your breath for a count of 5.
3) Exhale slowly and completely for at least a count of 5.
If you like, you may even mimick the motions you would make if you actually had a cigarette in your hand. The key to the exercise is the full release of tension as you breath out .
–Two or three times is all you need and you will notice that you feel less anxious and in a better place. Be careful, though, if you do more than that as you might hyper ventilate and feel light headed if you stand up. Enjoy (without lighting up) !