Are you sleeping well when you quit smoking? Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your health, but some people find that, as their bodies adjust to being smoke-free, they don’t sleep as well as usual. In fact, around 42% of those who quit experience sleep disturbances in the early days[1]. And some people believe that NRT treatments like patches may also interfere with you getting your 40 winks.[2]

Sleep and cigarettes have a complicated relationship but, if you understand it, you can use the right coping strategies to help you get a good night’s sleep and quit successfully.

Trouble sleeping when quitting smoking

Nicotine affects your sleep because it’s a stimulant, like caffeine. You might feel relaxed when you smoke but that’s because the chemicals in cigarettes prevent your brain from receiving the right signals. Your body is in ‘overdrive’, whether you are able to recognise it or not, and that doesn’t help your sleep.

Both smoking and quitting tend to alter your sleep patterns. Studies show that people who smoke, on average, get less sleep. Keep a sleep diary and establish what is a ‘normal’ night’s sleep for you. If it’s not great, consider doing something to improve it before you reach your quit date. There are plenty of blogs, apps and downloads you can try, including this one – or contact a hypnotherapist for help.

Nicotine withdrawal might be a factor. Some smokers experience disturbed sleep because they can’t last all night without a cigarette. This is part of the reason that smokers (on average) have more trouble sleeping. Withdrawal symptoms can increase for a while when you quit but they reduce as your body adapts.

Mental health issues like stress, depression or anxiety can make it more difficult to sleep – and more difficult to quit smoking. If you are experiencing any of these, seeing your GP, or a hypnotherapist for help and advice before you stop smoking could improve your chances of quitting successfully. I’d be happy to hear from you.

Some people sleep more when they quit smoking. This seems to be about ‘catching up’ with sleep you lost when you were smoking, and has the added benefit that you might be able to sleep through some of the other symptoms of quitting.

Sleeping well when you quit smoking

1. Patches can sometimes cause sleep disturbance and vivid dreams. If you’re using them and this happens, try taking them off before going to bed to help reduce the stimulating effect of the nicotine they contain.

2. If you’re cutting back rather than quitting (or want to wean yourself off cigarettes gradually) stop the late-night cigarettes first. They’re the ones most likely to interfere with a good night’s sleep.

3. Have a sleep schedule. Having a consistent time to wake up and go to bed will help a lot. Stick to it even at weekends, at least until you’re happy with your sleep.

4. Avoid blue lights. TV and computer screens emit blue light which your brain tends to recognise as daylight, making you more alert and less likely to sleep. Keep your bedroom softly lit and avoid screens for a couple of hours before bed. If you often have to get up for the toilet during the night, a night light in your bathroom can help you get back to sleep faster.

5. Do something boring. Tossing and turning in bed doesn’t help you fall asleep. It’s better to get up and do something boring in a softly lit room. (Doing something interesting regards you for staying awake, which is counter-productive!) Once you feel sleepy, go back to bed.

6. Eat the right things at night. Tryptophan is an amino acid that triggers drowsiness naturally. Try a small bowl of cereal or a cookie with milk before bed.

7. Visit the ‘well man’ or ‘well woman’ clinic. Many GPs run these, and if your sleep doesn’t improve within a few weeks, they’re a good place to get a kind of ‘MOT’. If there are other issues impacting your sleep, your doctor will be able to help.

8. Expect better sleep in time. For most people whose sleep is temporarily disturbed by stopping smoking, the problem will clear up on its own.

Quitting smoking can interfere with your sleep temporarily, but the positive health benefits will last for the rest of your life.

Prepare well before you quit and remember that making temporary adjustments will help you to stay well rested. Get help if you need it. Then, you can look forward to becoming smoke-free and enjoying better sleep than ever.

[Follow my Facebook page for regular tips for quitting successfully every Stoptober (and often at other times too).]

References:

[1] https://academic.oup.com/ntr/article/21/2/139/4562639

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5443250/

Author: Debbie Waller is a professional therapist, specialising in stress, anxiety and related issues, including gut-directed hypnotherapy to help with the symptoms of IBS. She also offers EMDR/Blast which is used for trauma, PTSD, phobias and OCD. For more information on any of these services, phone 01977 678593. 

Researcher: Rae Waller is an experienced researcher and writer with a special interest in mental health issues. Rae offers drafting, fact-checking, proofreading, and editing for anything from a leaflet to a website, a blog or a book, and can also provide diversity reading, especially for LGBTQ+ and autism-related issues. Please contact rae@debbiewaller.com for further information.