A 10-minute trick to reduce cigarette cravings when you quit smoking: advice from scientists
Scientists at the University of Innsbruck in Austria have found a way to reduce smoking cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms in just 10 minutes.
According to the CDC, tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. According to 2021 statistics, 11.5% of American adults smoke cigarettes, but most of them quit last year. However, less than 10% of smokers succeed in quitting each year, Newsweek writes.
A recent study by the University of Innsbruck found that even 10 minutes of exercise can be effective for those who temporarily abstain from smoking. The study included a randomized group of smokers who were assigned to different types of physical activity, including walking outdoors, indoor treadmill, and sedentary exercise.
According to Stephanie Schettl, a doctoral student in the Faculty of Sports Sciences, this is the first study to include outdoor activity, not just indoor.
Martin Kopp, professor of sport and exercise psychology, said that during the study, participants were asked not to smoke overnight and were assigned 10 minutes of exercise the next day. The results showed that cigarette cravings decreased in the physical activity groups compared to the control group, as well as reduced withdrawal symptoms and improved well-being.
Another interesting difference was in the time to the next cigarette, where the outdoor group took 17 minutes, while the indoor group took 26 minutes. This trend requires further research, but it could become a new reliable method for those who decide to quit smoking.
As a reminder, we have already written how to quit smoking on your own.
If you want to get the latest news about the war and events in Ukraine, subscribe to our Telegram channel!