Study: Short Walks Reduce Cigarette Cravings as Well as Nicotine Patch

Craving a smoke? Take a walk, say researchers. And it doesn't even have to be a long one--just five minutes of exercise has been found to dramatically reduce the intensity of cigarette cravings, according to a new study published in the journal Addiction.

Researchers tested various forms of exercise for different amounts of time and found that the intensity and duration of the activity were of little importance. As little as five minutes of moderate exercise--the equivalent of a quick walk around the block--was shown to lower cravings for up to 50 minutes.

"What's surprising is the strength of the effect," said Dr. Robert West, professor of health psychology at University College London. West was not involved in the review. "They found that the acute effects of exercise were as effective as a nicotine patch," he said.