In the past year, over a million people have quit smoking. Alongside this one million, an additional 440,000 smokers attempted to stop.
Many people picked up the habit when they were young. However, once they started smoking, they found it difficult to stop. It is due to the addictiveness of nicotine. For some people, quitting smoking is a simple process. They can decide to stop and can kick the habit. Others will find it a little more challenging.
Whether you have been smoking for two months, two years, or twenty years, here are a few reasons why it is never too late to quit smoking.
Health Benefits Of Quitting Smoking
Quitting smoking is one of the best ways to improve your health. Some of the benefits might take a little time before they are noticeable; many of the health benefits from quitting are immediate. Within 48 hours of quitting, your sense of taste and smell will have improved. In 24 hours, the risk of your having a heart attack is reduced. After 20 minutes of quitting, both your heart rate and blood pressure will have lowered.
In combination with these, here are a few more health benefits you will experience after quitting smoking.
Reduced Heart Disease Risks
Those who smoke will have a much higher risk of heart attack than non-smokers. Individuals under the age of 40 who smoke are five times more likely to have a heart attack than those that do not smoke. Within a year of quitting smoking, your risk of having a heart attack will be reduced to about half of a smoker’s chances. If you have not smoked for more than 15 years
Prevents Further Lung Damage
Lungs that have been scarred are not reversible. It is why you should quit smoking before you do any permanent damage to your lungs. In as little as two weeks of quitting, you may experience less shortness of breath when doing everyday activities. After ten years of not smoking, your risk of developing lung cancer is reduced by half of that of a smoker.
Lower Stress Levels
People that have quit smoking have benefited from lower stress levels. When you decide to quit, you will likely feel stressed from the withdrawal symptoms experienced due to the loss of nicotine. However, satisfying this craving with nicotine is only a temporary fix and will not help with reducing stress levels. After quitting smoking, your improved oxygen levels can enable you to concentrate better. You may even notice an improvement in your mental well-being.
Alternative Benefits Of Quitting Smoking
You can reap these health benefits when you know how to quit smoking and succeed in your goal. Any health risks will be significantly reduced, and you will likely feel better in your body. There are more benefits when you quit smoking, and these are just a few of them.
Improvement In Skins Appearance
Over time, smoking can affect your appearance. It can cause you to develop premature wrinkles due to smoking for a long time. After you quit, your risks of developing skin conditions will decrease. Instead, your skill will benefit from improved blood circulation. Your skin will have a healthy glow, which will make you appear younger.
Money You Will Save
Every year, the cost of cigarettes increases. Depending on how many packs of cigarettes you smoke in a week or day, you will likely be paying out a small fortune to satisfy your nicotine craving. For example, a packet of cigarettes could cost you £13.30. If you smoke a pack a day, you will be spending £93.10 each week. In a year, this totals £4,841.20. The cost of smoking can damage your health and your bank account. Quitting will help you to save a small fortune each year, in addition to your health.
Improved Oral Health
The tar and nicotine in tobacco can stain your teeth, causing them to look yellow. Those that smoke are also more at risk of developing gum disease. They are more likely to produce bacterial plaque, which causes gum disease.
By quitting, you can improve your gum health and prevent your teeth from becoming discoloured any further. You can enhance your smile to look healthy and bright with a teeth whitening treatment. Quitting smoking will also help to improve the smell of your breath. Mints and gum are not strong enough to mask the scent that smoking causes. Regular dental visits and quitting smoking can help to ensure your breath smells fresh.
What To Expect When You Quit
When you quit smoking, you will likely experience symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. For some, it can be a distressing experience. The psychological and physical symptoms a person will experience can be challenging to operate. These are some of the side effects of quitting smoking that you may experience.
Struggle To Sleep
A common side effect of nicotine withdrawal is struggling to sleep. It can also cause you to want extra sleep during the day. Try and avoid consuming caffeinated drinks late in the afternoon and evening. Caffeine stays in your system longer when you quit smoking. As such, you will likely struggle with falling asleep if you have consumed a caffeinated drink a few hours before going to sleep.
Nicotine Cravings
One of the most persistent and challenging symptoms you will experience is nicotine cravings. These cravings can last between five to ten minutes and can be uncomfortable. Sometimes, these cravings can be mild and manageable while overwhelming. A thought or a feeling can trigger cravings. It could be from something that makes you think about smoking, such as having a coffee outside. When these cravings begin to rise, remember that they will pass, and you do not need to give in.
Changes In Mood
Early nicotine withdrawal symptoms tend to be irritation and stress. It is normal to experience these changes in your mood. To help you manage it, remind yourself that your body is getting used to not consuming nicotine.
Weight Gain
After quitting, your appetite will increase, and your body might not be able to burn as many calories as it once did. You may also find that food is more enjoyable than it once was since your senses of taste and smell will have improved when you stop smoking. To combat this issue, remember that any form of physical activity is better than none. Going for a walk can have significant health benefits.
Lack Of Concentration
In the first few days after quitting smoking, you might notice that it has become much more difficult to concentrate. Lack of concentration is a common side-effect of quitting smoking. During this time, be kind to yourself. If possible, aim to limit doing any activities that require intense concentration.
Quitting Smoking Will Help At Any Age
Regardless of your age, quitting smoking can improve your health. From the moment you put out your last cigarette, then the benefits will start to creep in. The early stages of quitting smoking might be challenging. The side effects may tempt you to pick up a cigarette. However, after these cravings begin to ease, you can continue living a healthier lifestyle. The results are worth the effort you made to stop smoking.