Quitting Smoking Emotionally Loaded For Women

We all know that quitting smoking is difficult, and unfortunately it looks like it may be harder for women to kick the habit. NPR recently reported that although federal household surveys indicate that the success rate for quitting is close to equal between the sexes, women might actually have more difficulty giving up their smokes.

Carolyn Mazure, a psychologist who specializes in addictive behavior, believes that the relationship women have with cigarettes is emotionally loaded. She explains,

"Women often report smoking is helpful in reducing negative mood, even enhancing positive mood, managing the stress of daily life and also managing appetite and weight gain. Women are looking to cigarettes to help them with those different situations, and as a consequence, it's often more difficult for women [than for men] to give up their cigarettes."

Mazure adds that women are more prone to depression and negative moods, and that when stressed, they're more likely to relapse and light a cigarette. This could be why timing your attempts to quit smoking with your menstrual cycle is considered a key strategy for women.

Are you trying to quit smoking? Are you having a rough time? Here are seven tips for quitting smoking, and I hope they help.