Quitting smoking can be tough. For some people, it is perhaps the toughest exercise of self-control. But when you look at the effects on the body after quitting smoking, the ordeal seems worth it. Smoking is a filthy habit and I would encourage everyone to start quitting right this second. The damage to your body, the increased risks of diseases, and reduced immunity are definitely not worth a few puffs. If you are looking for reasons to quit smoking, this is the blog for you.
Quitting Smoking: A Journey
Most people get put off by the withdrawal symptoms and the nicotine-cravings when quitting smoking. This is normal, and there’s really no way around this. Your body may have become addicted to the nicotine. Depending on how much you smoke, you may experience headaches, irritability, and severe cravings. It is important that you remember the positive effects on the body after quitting smoking and stay committed to your plan. In this blog, I will examine the harmful effects of smoking tobacco, quitting side effects, and what happens when you quit. Here’s what we will be looking at:
- How long does it take to quit smoking?
- What are the immediate side effects of quitting?
- Benefits to quitting.
- What supplements can help?
Let’s jump right into them.
How Long does it Take to Quit Smoking?
Quitting smoking doesn’t take that long. In fact, if you quit right now, you could immediately start repairing the damage to your body. The withdrawal symptoms are worst for a maximum of 72 hours. After that, the nicotine is completely out of your system. What you experience then are blunted withdrawals, which can last 1-3 months. After that, your brain function also returns to normal. A short answer to how long does it take to quit smoking? Within a week, you’ll start feeling much better. By 3 months, you won’t experience any withdrawal symptoms at all.
What are the Immediate Side Effects of Quitting?
You start to experience certain effects on the body after quitting smoking. The severity varies from person to person. This is because your body is beginning to adjust to a lack of nicotine. While these side effects can be tough, they are temporary. So don’t let them break your resolve. It is normal to experience the following symptoms:
- A vague tingling feeling in your fingers and toes as circulation improves.
- Recurring headaches and nausea as the nicotine exit your system.
- Increased appetite as well as an increase in body weight.
- Mild to severe constipation as your bowels react to a lack of nicotine.
- Feeling irritable or angry is normal as your mind adjusts to the change.
- Extreme cravings for nicotine because of body dependence.
- You may experience coughing and throat irritability as your lungs start clearing out.
- Increase anxiety as well as phases of depression.
- Insomnia or loss of sleep.
This is what happens to your body after you quit smoking. The immediate side effects are, again, only temporary. Power through them and start living a healthier life on the other side.
Benefits of Quitting
The long list of side effects may have caused you to rethink if you want to quit. So let’s take a look at the positive effects on the body after quitting smoking. I’m going to lay them out in a timeline. Chronologically, these are the benefits to your health after you quit:
- Your heart rate starts to return to normal 20 minutes after quitting.
- Carbon monoxide levels start dropping roughly within 8-12 hours after you quit.
- Within 2 days of quitting, your sense of smell and taste begin to improve.
- Within 3 months, heart attack risks drop significantly.
- After up to 9 months, your lung capacity and health improve substantially.
- 50% reduction in risk of heart disease within 1 year.
- 5 years after quitting you are at less risk of a stroke.
- After 10 years, your risk of lung cancer is the same as a non-smoker.
- After 15 years, your risk of heart disease is the same as a non-smoker.
What Supplements Can Help?
Getting a doctor’s help when quitting can really help you through the process. Your doctor may recommend a nicotine-replacement approach. You may have to use nicotine gum or patches until you overcome the psychological effects of quitting. Your doctor may also recommend effective supplements to help you on your way. You may need to take vitamins for high blood pressure, or omega-3 fatty acids to combat depression. Either way, the health benefits are yours for the taking. Quit now and start your journey today! Share your own journey with us in the comments below. You never know, you could help motivate somebody to kick-start their own health journey.
