If you quit smoking now, you will definitely live longer and so would those people who inhale second-hand smoke because of you. Studies have shown that this habit causes a death of 3 million people worldwide on an annual basis. Despite the numbers, in the US alone, cigarette smoking is considered to be a highly preventable cause of death but it seems quitting the habit is where most people fail.
Some attest to the power of doing it slowly while others say that if you quit smoking now and do it cold turkey it’ll be more effective. But what really happens when you quit smoking?
Regaining What You Lost
If You Quit Smoking Now
According to a health calendar, the first 20 minutes since you last held your cigarette allows your heart rate to start dropping back to normal. When you smoke, your heart beat can increase to as much as 25 beats per minute and eventually cause arrhythmia—irregular heartbeat syndrome. This happens because cigarette smoking releases carbon monoxide right into your bloodstream.
If you quit smoking now at this point and go by 12 more hours without a stick, the carbon monoxide you’ve collected in your blood would eventually drop to normal. So think of it as a cleansing period wherein you are not simply ridding your lungs of the smoke but actually your own blood from all the toxins you’ve mixed with it. Should you continue the stretch to 2 more weeks, risks of heart attack also drop and the lungs go back to their normal working levels.
One month into quitting, you can already notice that whatever coughs you’ve had and shortness of breath you’ve experienced will dramatically decrease. This happens as your lungs return to its normal functioning and lung infections have ceased to exist at this point.
Your Battle Against Cravings If You Quit Smoking Now
Admittedly though, the longer a person’s been a smoker, the harder it will be for that person to quit. This is because the smoking has become a part of his lifestyle. It’s become ingrained with his daily habits. Some also use smoking as a defense mechanism to manage unpleasant situations and emotions.
As part of someone’s lifestyle, there are easy tips you can follow to help avoid such cravings. Some people smoke after taking a meal because it helps them avoid feeling bloated or too full. But much of that thought is really just in the mind. To reduce craving for a puff after a meal, eat fruits and other delectable desserts that you also find satisfying.
Another habit that automatically induces smoking is drinking alcoholic drinks. While it doesn’t mean you have to forgo plans of having a night out with friends, you can opt to get non-alcoholic drinks in the meantime until you are fully able to manage drinking without smoking. Make sure you and your friends also stay within the non-smoking area so you wouldn’t be tempted to take a stick. Munching on nuts and chips can also help reduce cravings.
However, if you’ve started using cigarettes to deal with emotional problems it would be best to have some loved ones involved in your battle to quit smoking. Get real emotional support from these people as you brave on the emotional challenges you need to face.
In the end, it’s all about you and the people you love most. Remember, you can save lives if you can quit smoking now.
