As a service member, staying mission-ready means getting the rest your body and mind need to perform at their best – but tobacco use could be standing in your way.

Tobacco products can keep you from hitting your peak performance by disrupting your body’s ability to get a good night’s rest. If you’re struggling to fall asleep at night, wake up in the morning or are not feeling rested after a full night of sleep, tobacco products may be to blame.

Tobacco products contain nicotine, which is a stimulant, like caffeine. Nicotine makes you feel more alert and less tired, so smoking a cigarette or using a vape close to bedtime can make it harder to fall asleep. Because nicotine is addictive, your craving for nicotine increases throughout the night while you are sleeping. This may make it harder to stay asleep or may cause you to wake up feeling less refreshed than someone who doesn’t use tobacco products.

Tobacco products also increase your risk of sleep-related problems. The chemicals in tobacco smoke cause damage to the tissue in your mouth, throat and lungs. The tissues swell up, making it hard to breathe properly, especially while you are asleep. This can lead to problems like snoring or restlessness. It can also lead to more serious problems like sleep apnea, a condition where you briefly stop breathing while sleeping.

If you’re ready to take back your sleep, quitting tobacco is a great idea. Some people report more trouble sleeping while they are trying to quit, which usually improves after a few weeks. There are a lot of resources available to help you live a tobacco-free life. You can start by speaking with your healthcare provider or by checking out the tools and resources here.