What Happens to Your Body When You Quit Smoking
Millions of people worldwide have the nasty habit of smoking cigarettes. They are addicted to it and find it very difficult to let go of this habit. Most of them are very well-aware of the ill-effects of smoking, yet their addiction prevents them from giving up this habit for good.
However, there is also a sizable section of the population who, after opening their eyes to the harm inflicted by a cigarette on their health have given up this habit. These people have in turn benefitted from the gift of a longer and healthier life. If you have been trying to find ways of how to quit smoking, then let this article be an inspiration for you.
Quit Smoking Timeline – The Miraculous Changes That You Will Experience
A healthy person, Credit: Pixabay
It takes courage and hard work to fully give up smoking. But once you do, you will find yourself becoming a recipient of a variety of healthful changes. So exactly how long do you have to wait in order to experience a world of difference in your health? Turns out, not much. Watch out for the following changes:
Your pulse rate becomes normal after only 20 minutes of abstaining from a cigarette.
After around 7-8 hours, your oxygen levels become normal as the nicotine and carbon monoxide in your blood lowers by more than 50%.
After about two days, you will begin to relish your food in a way that you did not before. Not only this, your sense of smell will enhance as nicotine levels decrease.
In three days time, you will be able to breathe a lot more comfortably.
In about a week’s time, you will begin to automatically abstain from smoking cigarettes as your craving for nicotine will die down. It also means an end to all your withdrawal symptoms.
Within three months, you will find a dramatic improvement in your energy levels. It is because your blood will start circulating throughout your body in a more effective manner.
In less than 10 months, you will become free of any risk of respiratory diseases as your lung capacity will expand. That means no more coughing and wheezing.
In just one year’s time, you will come out of the category of those who are prone to heart diseases.
Within five years, you will free yourself from falling victim to stroke.
In ten years, you will lower your risk of developing lung cancer as well as cancers of oesophagus, throat, mouth, and pancreas.
After 15 years, your cardiovascular health will be at par with that of a non-smoker.
In 20 years time, your overall health will attain its peak and there will not be any difference between your health and the health of a non-smoker.
How to Quit Smoking
Man breaking a cigarette, Credit: Pixabay
Tell your family, friends, and colleagues that you are about to give up the habit of smoking and thus need their support for it.
Find out about other people who are trying to give up smoking and help each other during this journey.
Out of sight, out of mind is a saying that holds true for those trying to quit smoking. Throw away all the cigarette and tobacco products like ashtrays and lighters from your home.
Take your doctor’s help if you are finding it difficult to deal with the withdrawal symptoms.
Quitting smoking is a mind game more than anything else. It will become hard if you will view it as an impossible feat to achieve. The benefits of quitting smoking immensely outweighs the pleasure that it provides for a short amount of time. So do not think twice. Start today and receive the gift of a healthier life in return.