Smoking can lead to psychological as well as physical health problems.
It’s well known that lighting up increases your chance of heart disease, respiritory illness and even arthritis, but new research has revealed that it can also lead to mental illnesses such as depression and stress.
Researchers at the University of Cardiff have paired up with anti-tobacco charity Ash Wales to investigate the links between smoking and mental health problems. What the figures do not show, however, is whether turning to – and even addiction to – tobacco is a result of a persons inability to cope with mental pressures and stresses rather than the other way around.
The findings also highlight how smokers are more likely to binge drink and have a poor diet than non-smokers and those who have kicked the habit. Does one unhealthy behaviour lead to the other, or are all these lifestyle choices just symptomatic of people who are not mindful of their health? Either way, it’s clear that in order to look after your mental wellbeing, you need to start by paying attention to your physical wellbeing .
See the full article in The Guardian
< Return to previous page