Dealing with stress and boredom

Feeling stressed or bored? These emotions can be triggers that make you feel like a hit of nicotine.

When you are stressed or bored, you may find yourself reaching for a smoke or a vape out of habit. There are ways to help you avoid smoking or vaping during these times.

You can try some techniques that help manage stress when you feel it. Mindfulness, breathing exercises, and muscle relaxation may work for you. Knowing your triggers for cravings and having a plan to cope with them can also help. Quitline counsellors can share with you their tips and tricks for coping with stress and boredom. You can also talk to your doctor or counsellor about stress management techniques.

Nicotine from a cigarette or vape can make stress worse. It puts you in a cycle of feeling stressed, then smoking or vaping to relieve that stress. But once the nicotine wears off, you’ll soon feel stressed again.

Quitting can break this nasty cycle. Many people who quit in the long term say their mood is better and they feel less stressed than when they were smoking and/or vaping.