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Gen Z Swaps Cigarettes for ‘Fridge Cigarette’: A Cold Diet Coke Break Trend
Fridge Cigarette: The 'Fridge Cigarette' trend is becoming increasingly viral among Gen Z, in which people reduce stress by drinking cold Diet Coke or fizzy drinks. Know the psychological and physical effects of this habit.
Today, Gen Z has discovered a new trend to relax, and cigarettes or nicotine are not part of it. The trend is called fridge cigarette. Here, individuals open the fridge and remove a cold Diet Coke (or any cold beverage, fizzy drink), open the can, and consume it with satisfaction, just like the older generation used to take a break by smoking cigarettes. The only thing is that there is no smoke here, no guilt. Just a cold bubbly drink and a quick reset of the mind.
Neha Kadbams, Kadbams Hospitals Senior Psychologist, states that this is also an emotional coping mechanism, i.e., a method of stress management. When individuals are tired, exhausted, or stressed, they latch onto such minute habits for instant relief. Having a cold drink gives them a sense of happiness, control, and diversion for some minutes.
The issue comes when this behavior keeps getting repeated over and over again, and also turns into our primary behavior to manage stress. If consumption of Diet Coke turns into the sole solution rather than good habits such as sleep, talk, exercise, or relaxation, then the issue can escalate.
