What Happens The Moment You Quit Smoking. Step by Step

To actually quit smoking, it’s tough. 70% of smokers actually want to stop smoking, but don’t. In fact, only 7% of smokers successfully stop smoking on their first try (1).  There is a positive side of the story. The changes in your body the moment you physically quit smoking are exponential.

Deciding to quit smoking isn’t easy

These facts will provide a daily reminder as to why you are choosing to stop smoking once-and-for-all.

The short and long-term health benefits when stop smoking:

Within 20 minutes of finishing your last cigarette

Your blood pressure will have lowered to a normal level. Proper blood flow and circulation returns to your hands and feet.

8 hours after your last puff

The levels of the toxic carbon monoxide in your bloodstream will be cut in half. Oxygen starts to increase helping clear out harmful substances and bacteria.

48 hours after smoking

Your chances of having a heart attack are reduced substantially. At this stage, nicotine will have been completely flushed from your system. Your sense of smell and taste will begin to recover.

3 days from your last cigarette

Your ability to breath has become easier. Your bronchial tubes are less strained. You will feel more energetic (which will come as a nice boost to the stress of quitting).

2 weeks through 2 months post-smoking

You will find it easier to walk. Your respiratory system will have improved by up to 30%.

3 to 9 months

You will notice coughing, congestion, and general respiratory issues have become less. Fibers in your bronchial tubes will have begun to regrow.  This will help increase the ability to handle mucus and clean lungs of bacteria leading to infections.

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At the 1 year mark

You will have reduced your risk of a heart attack by half and energy levels will be that of a non-smoker.

5 years from your last cigarette

You will have reduced your risk of having a stroke to that of a non-smoker.

Being a non-smoker for 10 years

You will have reduce your chances of lung cancer to that of a person who has never smoked. The 30 plus other chemicals found in tobacco that cause cancer will have been drastically removed from your system.

15 years after you’ve stopped smoking

You will have an equal risk of suffering a major heart attack as those that have never smoked.

The dangerous effects of smoking on your body are often underlined in an effort to get people to quit. What can be more influential in the path to quit smoking are the positive results of each day off the habit. Remember that “once a smoker” can be turned into “never a smoker”!

Article originally published on Healthy Holistic Living.