About Insomnia and Smoking

Smoking causes all sorts of problems for you, especially at the end of a long day when you just want to go home and get some much needed sleep.

Why is this so?

Well, smoking is a stimulant and stimulants interfere with the body's ability to fall asleep.

Many smokers think that smoking will make them feel calmer and help them to relax. The facts are different, because when it comes time to sleep, instead of being able to rest, the body craves for nicotine. Also, smokers cough a lot and find it difficult to breathe which just makes it harder for them to fall asleep. They are also likely to snore and suffer from other breathing problems that will affect their ability to sleep.

Feeling sleepy and irritable during the day isn't a good thing because it makes it hard to find the energy and commitment to do your work well and you could risk losing your job.

Unfortunately, quitting is difficult to do because cigarettes are readily available and there is a lot of peer pressure to smoke. However, there are many things you can try to do to quit the habit. At the end of the day, you want to be able to have a good night's sleep as well as have increased energy and a healthier body.

• Exercise such a walking or swimming helps to take the cravings away
• Use nicotine patches or chew gum to help with withdrawal symptoms
• Join a support group, call a helpline and seek the encouragement of friends and family
• Try acupuncture
• Seek professional help on how to give up smoking. GP's will be able to advise you on the risks of smoking and what you can do to quit the habit.