Smoke Breaks & Burnout: Why I Quit Smoking as a Beauty Pro (and How It Changed Everything)
In the beauty industry, smoke breaks are practically woven into the culture.
For years, I leaned into that — not really thinking about how much it was impacting my work, my body, and my mental health. I was shackled to the habit.
It wasn’t until I quit that I finally saw how much it was taking from me.
The Things I Didn’t Notice… Until I Stopped
Smoking gave me short, shallow relief. But it came at a cost:
My anxiety was worse. That little heart rate spike from a drag? It made me feel wired, not relaxed.
I thought I loved the ritual of it — but it turns out I was just craving a deep breath. Smoking was the only time I ever took a deep breath.
I rushed through appointments just to earn myself a break. That constant urgency wasn't fair to me or my clients.
I packed on weight — not from quitting, but from all the liquid calories I paired with each cigarette. Coffee, soda, sweet drinks... I was constantly reaching for something.
I didn’t sleep well, had a ton of mucus buildup, and constant sinus pressure. I thought it was just the job — it wasn’t.
I was hyper-aware of the smell. I worried about my hands, my breath, and being in close proximity to clients. That self-consciousness made me feel off all the time.
And here’s something that really stuck with me:
My brother once told me he was jealous of how many breaks I got. People would literally say, “Why don’t you go take a quick smoke break and come back?”
Like I needed it.
And I did — but not the way they thought.
I didn’t need a cigarette. I needed space. I needed rest. I needed to breathe.
What Actually Helped Me Quit
Quitting was not easy, but these habits made it possible — and sustainable:
Deep Breathing: I replaced drags with full, intentional breaths. It helped ground me and gave me the same pause I was craving.
Heart Rate Boosts: I started fast walking and working out — not to “get fit” but to feel that internal stimulation I used to chase with a cig.
Minty Reset: I brushed my teeth (a lot). That sharp, minty feeling helped curb cravings, especially after meals.
Avoiding Triggers: I stayed away from smoke-filled environments and friends who smoked, especially early on. Out of sight, out of mind — it worked.
Breaking the Pairings: I stopped drinking the sweetened coffees and sodas I used to pair with cigarettes. That small shift? I lost 15 pounds in two months. Wild.
Why I’m Sharing This
If you’re a beauty pro who smokes, this isn’t about shame.
It’s about awareness, self-care, and freedom.
You deserve a break — a real one.
One that fuels your energy, clears your mind, and honors your body.
If you're thinking about quitting, I hope this shows you it's possible — and that there’s a better kind of breath waiting for you.
The Bottom Line
Quitting smoking didn’t just change my habits — it changed how I show up for myself and for my clients. It gave me my breath back, my energy back, and most importantly, my breaks back — the real kind. The ones that don’t leave me drained or smelling like stress.
If you’re a beauty pro who's been thinking about quitting, just know: you don’t need to be perfect. You just need a starting point. And maybe this is yours.
You deserve better than burnout. You deserve to breathe — without needing a reason.
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