So you’ve finally done it: you’ve quit smoking. Depending on how long you have been smoke free, you are in one of the many stages of recovery, all of which come packed with many different positive benefits to your health. But it is safe to say that overall, you are probably feeling pretty good. So let’s take a look at all of the good things that are coming your way as a result of your smoke free lifestyle.
In general, quitting smoking will boost your energy levels and your immune system. That’s right—you are not going to be so tired and you are not going to be so easily demolished by the common cold. You will start to notice that breathing is clearer and easier, that your skin is looking fresher and more elastic and that, finally, you don’t have that awful tobacco smoke stench following you everywhere you go.
But let’s get even more specific. Below is a healing timeline that starts the second you put out that last cigarette for good—take a look at see where you fit!
- 20 minutes after you quit smoking your blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal.
- 40 minutes after you quit smoking nicotine leaves the brain
- 12 hours after you quit smoking your oxygen levels will be back to normal and your carbon monoxide levels will have decreased markedly.
- 48 hours after you quit smoking your sense of taste and smell are returning to normal and damaged nerves are beginning to heal.
- 72 hours after you quit smoking your body will be toxin free (nicotine and other harsh smoking chemicals)
- 1 week after you quit smoking your circulation begins to improve, fatigue begins to fade and lung functions improve, although this is often accompanied by coughing and the loosening of mucus that is clogging the lungs.
- 2 weeks after you quit smoking most studies suggest the anxiety, headaches, irritability and fatigue that can arise from stopping smoking cease. This may relate to the change from not having the sugar and other chemicals in cigarette especially when you stop suddenly
- 2 weeks after you quit smoking residual amounts of nicotine leave the body.
- 2 weeks after you quit smoking your heart attack risk begins to decrease.
- 1 month after you quit smoking cilia begins re-growing in your lungs and your sinuses begin to improve.
- 1 year after you quit smoking your risk of coronary heart disease lowers by half in comparison with other smokers
- 5 years after you quit smoking your stroke risk lowers to that of non-smokers
- 10 years after you quit smoking your lung cancer risk lowers by half in comparison with people who continue to smoke. (That is if the cancer is not already present) The same can be said for the development of any other smoking-related cancers (esophageal, throat, kidney etc.)
- 15 years after you quit smoking your overall risk of smoking-related fatalities will be the same as non-smokers—in other words, it will be gone!
Anyone can quit smoking and stay smoke free for good. To learn more about quitting smoking and hypnosis, contact me or get involved in the discussion on Facebook and Twitter.
References:
Maureen’s eBook “Quit Smoking Hypnosis” Healing timeline taken from the book.