Mindful exercises like martial arts, yoga and tai chi help new ex-smokers concentrate on breathing and stress reduction -- important when you're trying to break a physical and psychological dependence. When you quit, you may feel grumpy, irritable and mentally fuzzy. Before you put down the pack, make plans for how you'll deal with the stresses of quitting. Guided imagery can help. Visualize how you might handle various stressors without picking up a cigarette. Use these mental rehearsals to prepare for success. Many quitters worry about weight gain as well. Increasing exercise can help alleviate those worries by burning extra calories.