Between 20 and 33 percent of smokers pick up the habit to deal with anxiety and stress, according to a study in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine. Due to their reasoning behind using the substance, they find it much harder and more daunting to quit. However, the study shows that there is a way to reduce the anxiety of quitting through exercise and wellness.

Researchers on the study observed 72 participants that were assigned to a 15-week exercise program and 64 participants that were assigned to wellness education sessions. Those in the wellness programs were also given behavioral therapy and nicotine replacement patches if preferred. The exercise sessions for those in the exercise program included 25 minutes of vigorous workouts three times per week.

By the end of the study, 26 percent of those who exercised regularly quit smoking and 12 percent in the wellness program also abstained. Six months later, 23 percent in the exercise program and 10 percent in the wellness program were still abstaining.

This study is similar to a recent study on our blog linking exercise to reducing negative health effects from substance use.