Smoking is good for you!

[groundhog]

I know that when it comes to smoking, it is generally considered to be the mother of all evils.
However, little consideration is given to any benefits that cigar/pipe smoking can bring.
A cigar can help to de-stress, leaving you calmer and more focused. It can be an almost meditative experience.
It can also be an epicurean delight, with a feast of flavours dancing across your palate. I'm fairly sure this tickles the happy centres in your brain.
These are quite important factors - they leave us as cigar smokers more balanced, calmer and more able to deal with the rest of the world.
That benefits us, our families and society as a whole.


What do you think? What are the benefits of our hobby?

[thedame007]

Great post, and i couldn't agree more.

I'm not sure if you have come across 'mindfulness' before, but i have found that when i am smoking a cigar it employs this to the letter; the idea of being present focused, letting worries and troubles move along inside your mind without chasing them down the endless abyss (releasing the Black Dog), and to understand how your body and mind is feeling. Unlike a lot of 'hobbies' that work on the idea of distraction, i feel like cigar smoking is much more about focus and understanding, being aware of the nuanced flavours, the feel of the smoke, every breath you take (sorry Sting), and the focus of the moment - i am certain a book can be written on this. Mindfulness has proven psychological benefits that feed into the rest of your life, and the people in it. If you can link that to cigar smoking i feel you're onto a real winner.

Add to this your aforementioned tickles, it brings us into contact with like-minded people developing community/belonging, also the fact that for most of us lighting up actual gets us out of the house and into the world, thereby actually exposing us to some fresh air as well, i feel any negligible 'risks' are far outstripped!

Bring on the

[PeeJay]

I liked a line I read that said if you can't spare an hour for a good cigar then you're living your life too fast

[Mark3142]

I have issues where I get stressed over work. Even to the point of having 2 months off last year, I worry that the clients don't have a good time, will moan afterwards etc etc. Probably completely unfounded but thats the way I'm wired. I have since given up that job. But I found that a cigar calmed me down and allowed me to relax and almost forget my ills and worries.
The wife even prompts me to have a cigar of I'm getting stressed now. So can't be all bad

[Simon Bolivar]

The Greeks said that the Gods don't count the hours a man goes fishing off his allotted span. The idea being the benefits spiritual & physical made them time neutral. So hopefully that's over 4,000 logged hrs I can add to my 3 score yrs & 10! I think the same balance can apply to smoking cigars. If it's not done in excess, when unwell & without excessive alcohol ect. We'll never prove it but I guess we all believe that or why else do we indulge? I don't smoke if I am sick but if I had a terminal illness, as long as I could enjoy the taste & could manage it without distress, I would still have a couple a week. Good health is something most of us don't appreciate until we don't have it anymore but ultimately striving for good health is just the hope you'll die later than someone else. So what are you doing with that time that's so much more enjoyable or productive? Ultimately combining fishing & cigars is a double whammy, you'r eoutside, already reasonably relaxed & no one around to complain about your smoke or rush you to finish up. Works for me. Thoughts Johnny Thunder?

[Moon Dancer]

Well said, Simon

[snooky]

Totally agree and some great comments . Having never smoked cigarettes I feel the benefits of relaxing with a Cigar so beneficial.
I would love a Doctor to come on here and agree or prove otherwise.
Here's looking forward to a fine Summer.

[Numb]

Absolutely, an hour or two every other week or so is pure relaxation and time to take stock of life, not only that but learning to enjoying the flavours of different cigars is a whole new experience.

[Simon Bolivar]

Or just hanging out with your friends on the porch...