The Road To Self-Destruction

So you've had a hard day at the office and you need to unwind? Or perhaps you've just gotten in row with your girlfriend and need to literally blow off some steam? Well, before you reach for the cigarette, consider releasing your stress in other ways in order to keep your mind preoccupied. I know, I know; it's your right as an adult to smoke if you know it's the one thing that can get your nerves settled and calm you down for the rest of the night; however, you've got to be aware of the harm you're causing yourself if you can't find a different outlet for your stress.

Smoking's Damaging Effects

Whether you care or not, you've got to keep yourself informed of exactly what it is you're doing to yourself if you decide to light up instead of vent to a best friend. There's nothing good that can come from continuing to put smoke into your body, mainly because the only things you actually get form cigarette smoke are dead cells and a nasty addiction that's harder to shake than you'd think. If you continue down this path, be prepared to face:

• severe lung trauma

• loss of lung function

• cell death (lack of oxygen reaching the cells)

• increased risks for cancer (because healthy cells are being replaced with toxic cells)

• skin necrosis (again, because of the lack of oxygen reaching skin cells)

• halitosis

• tooth decay (again, lack of oxygen strengthening the enamel)

• gum disease (gum cells dying because of lack of oxygen)

Long Term Risks

Besides all the undesirable effect of smoking, you do realize that you're putting yourself at risk for getting more serious problems in the long run. Not only will your lungs have trouble functioning, they'll be practically non-existent with the amount of smoke you've put in them. As was mentioned above, smoke removes oxygen from the blood cells, therefore killing your cells. As the cells in the blood die, so does the tissue on your vital organs. More than just suffering from a severe case of bronchitis, you'll be putting yourself at risk for contracting some nasty flavour of cancer ranging from gum cancer to throat cancer. That's certainly nothing to ignore.

Other Outlets for Stress

You probably think you don't need a list of things to keep yourself preoccupied, but if your first inclination is to reach for a pack of cigarettes, this list may be the lifesaver you need to keep your blood cells clean and your life longer so quit smoking as soon as possible. If you've had a run in with some intense stressors, you need to let it out and vigorously. Instead of focusing your energy --and money-- on a carton of cigarettes, go for a run or let it out in the gym. There's nothing wrong with a little physical retribution. Of you've got what's known as an oral fixation (in which something must be in your mouth at times of increased stress) have a little snack, something you love. You'll be putting something in your mouth that tastes a heck of a lot better than cigarette smoke. If none of that works, then you need to get someone to talk to --mammals have ears for a reason.