Work Stress Fuels Desire for Bad Habit

Researchers studied 275 women ages 36 to 85 to see how various life roles — such as worker, caretaker and spouse — affected their health. Despite counseling to stop smoking, one-fourth of them were still smokers. The scientists found that job stress played a stronger role than home stress in maintaining a chronic habit.

The group at greatest risk for continued dependency was single women with high work strain.

Some women attribute smoking to mood improvement and diminished stress levels. But the exact link between jobstrain and smoking is unclear.

If women want to quit, they might try focusing on ways to reduce work stress. This might boost their chances of breaking the habit.

Women’s Health Issues, Vol. 11, No. 2

Work Stress Fuels Desire For Bad Habit To arrange for a speaker at your workplace on stress and other health issues, have your Human Resources representative call 713-448-6090. Six weeks advance notice is recommended.