Ever since you were little, you’ve probably heard it a thousand times. They all say “do not smoke cigarettes, and if you do start, quit as soon as possible”.
Not only does smoking hurt your overall health, but it also hurts your wallet.
Smoking can be expensive in more ways than how much it costs in money. This article will help show the benefits of quitting smoking, whether you’ve quit long ago or you’re just starting to quit.
1. You can breathe better – If you just quit smoking 8 hours ago, your body’s levels of oxygen are returning to normal and your lungs will work better. When your lungs are in the process of healing and getting rid of the stuff that’s in there, you might have some changes. You will eventually begin to cough less, find it easier to breathe, and feel like you’re getting more oxygen. However, it may be difficult before you reach the healing stage of quitting.
2. Blood pressure returns to normal – You just need 20 minutes since your last smoke to see normal blood pressure levels. The nicotine in those cigarettes increases your blood pressure and pulse. As the nicotine clears, your body will regulate again.
3. You will look better – Smoking can cause stains on your nails and teeth. It can make your skin look dull and cause your hair to break off and look bad. If you quit, your skin will glow more, your nails will look better, and your smile will be nicer and more attractive.
4. Risk of cancer decreases – Smoking increases your chance of getting cancer. Specifically, lung, bladder, esophageal, and pancreatic cancers. If you quit, you are cutting your risk in half.
5. Help your heart – This one takes a bit longer. When you have had 8 weeks of not smoking, your risk of heart disease goes down and your cholesterol levels go down. One year of quitting helps your risk of heart disease decrease as much as someone who has never smoked.
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to stick with your decision to quit smoking. Some good tips for how to quit are as follows. Replacing the habit with something healthier such as chewing gum or keeping your hands busy is a good idea. Throwing away your lighters, cigarettes, and ash trays will help keep your mind and eyes off of the idea. Meditate, do yoga, or use breathing exercises to help you keep calm in stressful situations.
If you keep these benefits in mind, maybe it is a good time to quit for good!