Exercise Helps Some Smokers Quit

According to a new study, between 20% and 33% of smokers are considered to have high-anxiety sensitivity and smoke to cope with stress, making it more difficult for them to quit. In this study, investigators found that 26% of high-anxiety sensitivity smokers who were involved in a 15-week exercise program successfully abstained from smoking compared with only 12% in a control group who attended wellness sessions. After six months, 23% of the exercise group continued to abstain from smoking while just 10% of the wellness education group managed the same. The findings suggest that exercise can reduce anxiety sensitivity symptoms, doubling the chances of smoking cessation among adults with higher anxiety levels.
Psychosomatic Medicine, April 2016