Coping with stress without tobacco

Stress is an unfortunate reality of our world that comes and goes or maybe even lingers for long periods of time. Your body experiences stress during times of change, such as changes to your home life, work, an important relationship, a medical condition, or other life circumstances. You might have uncomfortable physical, mental, or emotional changes if you are under stress. 

Tobacco may temporarily cause feelings of reduced stress. The issue is that stress will return and may appear worse if you don’t have nicotine in your system. Stress may increase as a result of this. 

In Somali culture, the smoking of tobacco is wrongly associated with stress relief and a moment to mentally reset. It isn’t very common amongst Somali women to smoke tobacco due to it being viewed as a taboo. However, smoking is often associated with masculinity and adulthood when it comes to Somali men smoking. Men might view this as a momentary escape from the stress of their lives. However, this again is only momentary. 

Smoking tobacco is not a long-term way to relieve tension, depression, or stress. The act of setting apart time to smoke and the effects of nicotine on your brain are what give you relief when you smoke. When trying to quit smoking, people with depression may find it very difficult and have more acute withdrawal symptoms. It doesn’t take long for the tension to resurface if you quit smoking and then return to the stressful setting. You then require another cigarette. 

There is a lot of stigma surrounding mental health in the Somali community. Because of this, and the fact that smoking has become socially acceptable, many Somali men have turned to tobacco as an easier route to manage mental health issues instead of seeking other forms of help. This coping behavior only provides momentary relief, and it tricks one’s mind into associating tobacco use with positive feelings.

You’ll need to develop other coping mechanisms if smoking is your go-to method for handling stress. People find that regular exercise, acupuncture, eating a well-balanced diet, meditation, and breathing techniques are all beneficial. Counseling or just having a conversation with a family member, friend, or spiritual or religious leader can be beneficial as well. 

If you choose to stop, there is help available! You don’t have to experience it alone.