I think one of the main reasons it's so hard to quit smoking is because all the benefits of quitting and all the dangers of continuing seem very far away. Well, here's a little timeline about some of the more immediate effects of quitting smoking and how that will affect your body RIGHT NOW.
- In 20 minutes your blood pressure will drop back down to normal.
- In 8 hours the carbon monoxide (a toxic gas) levels in your blood stream will drop by half, and oxygen levels will return to normal.
- In 48 hours your chance of having a heart attack will have decreased. All nicotine will have left your body. Your sense of taste and smell will return to a normal level.
- In 72 hours your bronchial tubes will relax, and your energy levels will increase.
- In 2 weeks your circulation will increase, and it will continue to improve for the next 10 weeks.
- In three to nine months coughs, wheezing and breathing problems will dissipate as your lung capacity improves by 10%.
- In 1 year your risk of having a heart attack will have dropped by half.
- In 5 years your risk of having a stroke returns to that of a non-smoker.
- In 10 years your risk of lung cancer will have returned to that of a non-smoker.
- In 15 years your risk of heart attack will have returned to that of a non-smoker.
So, you have more immediate things to look forward to if you quit now besides just freaking out about not being able to smoke.
I quit smoking. it's been about 20 hours. So far my only tips are: get a bunch of straws. You've gotta stimulate that oral fixation. Also, don't quit smoking, because it's tough.
I've also found sunflower seeds and an empty bottle for shells is a great oral fix.
You guys are going to save so much money for booze!!
sunflower seeds, water…lot's of water, blowing up a balloon, eating an apple, sucking on a licorice stick…
I quit over six months ago, after trying gum, lozenges, nicotine nasal spray (clinical trial), group therapy, and cold turkey. Finally, my doctor suggested hypnotherapy. I went to someone (a PhD) at the local University hospital - not some sideshow performer. After the first session, I was down to 2 cigarettes a day. After the second session, I quit completely. I had one more session for a follow-up. I haven't had a cigarette since. I've been in bars. I've been in Vegas. I've been in a lot of smoking situations. I've never wanted one. Maybe my great success is the exception, but it's worth a try. I smoked for over 25 years, folks. 25 years. And one more thing - the oral substitution thing? I have a night guard I use at night so I don't grind my teeth. I used that as my substitute. No calories! When I wanted a cigarette during those first couple of weeks, I just popped the guard into my mouth and sucked on it.
That's amazing! Good for you. I smoked a pack a day for fives years and just slowly weened myself off them over abuot 6 months, but I still find myself socially smoking, so it hasn't been quite that effective.
Thanks. It feels pretty good.
Allright Wade, please the masses and do an article about what happens to your body when you quit drinking coka-cola! Or better yet, do an article about what happens to your body the minute you stop working out!
In addition to regaining taste and smell senses, the cilia in your lungs begins to regenerate within a few days, sweeping the lungs of debris and protecting against mucus buildup. They are pretty resilient little fibers.
I read an amazing book that was so helpful. I know at least 15 former smokers that found it insanely easy to quit after reading this short book. "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking" by Allen Carr. Pick it up today and give it a quick read and I bet you never smoke again, I haven't in over a year and with no withdrawals or desire whatsoever. It's short, amazing, written by a smoker, and can help you defeat the nicotine addiction as well. Good luck!!
I too swear by Allen Carr's book, and I have personally recommended it to people who have successfully used it to stop smoking.