Hi, I'm from near Dublin, Ireland. I have been a long time smoker of cigarettes, but never really enjoyed them. I have suffered on and off from anxiety, general anxiety and found in the past that pipe smoking relaxed me and brought things into perspective. I have recently decided to stop with the cigarettes, frankly they'll kill me eventually and only smoke the pipe (which I don't inhale). My query to other pipe smokers out there, is as to whether (a) other people find they generally 'zone out' and relax completely smoking their favourite pipe/tobacco and (b) whether anyone else who suffers from occasional anxiety has also found that pipe smoking makes them feel a bit more on an even keel as it has with me?
Pipe Smoking for anxiety
- Thread starter will346
- Start date
SmokingPipes.com Updates
Watch for Updates Twice a Week
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
- Status
Welcome to the forum!
My wife notices a drastic difference in my stress level when I sit down with pipe in hand, and encourages me to indulge fairly often. Her observations were reinforced when, during a trip to the local E.R. (for anxiety/stress related heart issues) the attending physician suggested (off the record) that I sit down, a bit more often, and relax with a beer and my pipe.
When I finally took some time out to smoke, after a several month hiatus, not only did I notice quite the difference in my mood, I also felt much of the anxiety-weight being lifted off my chest. So, I agree with you, that pipes can be a source of complete Zen.
Luckily for my two daughters, this means they can keep living in the house.
My wife notices a drastic difference in my stress level when I sit down with pipe in hand, and encourages me to indulge fairly often. Her observations were reinforced when, during a trip to the local E.R. (for anxiety/stress related heart issues) the attending physician suggested (off the record) that I sit down, a bit more often, and relax with a beer and my pipe.
When I finally took some time out to smoke, after a several month hiatus, not only did I notice quite the difference in my mood, I also felt much of the anxiety-weight being lifted off my chest. So, I agree with you, that pipes can be a source of complete Zen.
Luckily for my two daughters, this means they can keep living in the house.
Ah Jeffrey, you lucky guy, two teenage daughters and a wife??? Been there and done that twice!!! I had to crawl under my rock once a month to survive. :lol: Will, as Jeffrey said it will help with your stress level. I'm glad I smoke a pipe because it most certainly adds to my quality of life and generally keeps me sane.
Mustanggt, one teenager and one tween... I'm safe for about one week out of the month; the rest of the time, I just hand out tissues, chocolate, and apologies.
Oh, how did you survive it, sir?!
Oh, how did you survive it, sir?!
I find it helps with my depression which has aspects of anxiety. The ritual of packing and smoking a pipe slows me down; I don't zone out but it definitely relaxes me.
Pleasant diversions are good at temporarily easing stress and anxiety. The pipe can provide a pleasant diversion. A good book, model railroading, booze, cigarettes, gardening can all provide temporary relief. Whatever works.
@clickclick: I remember this article, but I can't recall which issue (and search is lousy with my PDF copies). I can post if you give me the date of the article.
I suspect many pipe smokers have some OCD tendencies, myself included. I believe the pipe does help keep me in relaxation zone where otherwise, I'd be preoccupied.
I took up my pipe again when my wife was in rehab after hip surgery, as a way to bring my focus back to the present and my surroundings (like the porch at night). I think this is part of a range of self-help measures, like diet, medical monitoring, sleep, and social support from family, friends, and community. People need to know when professional consultation is needed. But a pipe, in moderation, is certainly one way I sustain balance. Welcome aboard, will'; I've been to your beautiful country and city twice, the second time entirely in Dublin.
"I suspect many pipe smokers have some OCD tendencies"
Not me. I have CDO. It's almost the same except in alphabetical order as it ought to be.
And I think the physiological similarity between sucking on a pipe or cigar and sucking on a breast plays some part in the stress-reduction mechanism. I feel that's an area we all need to study more in-depth.
Not me. I have CDO. It's almost the same except in alphabetical order as it ought to be.
And I think the physiological similarity between sucking on a pipe or cigar and sucking on a breast plays some part in the stress-reduction mechanism. I feel that's an area we all need to study more in-depth.
I've studied the oral fixation for years. I will keep on with my rather arduous research, someone has to take the bullet.
- Status