“It will be difficult to identify one mechanism that explains all the benefits,” says Faulkner. “It may be that different mechanisms operate at different times for different people: It’s the distraction, it’s feeling good about doing something good for yourself, and maybe, when it’s intense, perhaps something biochemical is going on, like the creation of mood-boosting endorphins.” What is known: exercise doesn’t hurt quit attempts, and regardless of how much it helps one’s effort to stop smoking, it seriously boosts overall health.
