There should not be a reason to quit smoking. You already know that smoking causes cancer. So you should quit smoking in order to live a better and healthy life. Nevertheless, there are plenty of health benefits when you stop smoking, which begin showing almost immediately. Here is what would happen when you quit smoking.
1. In about 20 minutes, your pulse rate will decrease. A decrease in heart rate will be followed by a drop in your blood pressure as well. Your hands and feet will also heat up as their temperature will increase slightly.
2. Within 12 hours, the toxic carbon monoxide content in your blood stream will fall and return to normal. The oxygen level in your blood will automatically reinstate to the standard level.
3. In 24 hours time, your risks of having a heart attack will fall below danger line.
4. In 2 days, you will be able to smell and taste better as your senses begin to function better and regain normalcy. You will be able to experience a refreshed life.
5. Between 2 weeks and a couple of months, your physiological reflexes will improve, your blood circulation will get better and you will be able to move your limbs more effortlessly as your muscles become relaxed. Your lungs will also begin to function much better. You will cease to have respiratory problems and will stop coughing and wheezing.
6. Within 9 months, you will experience significantly less fatigue, boredom, weakness, frustration and headache. You will have far less respiratory problems as by now your lungs will have attained significantly improved functionality. The risks of lung infections will also decrease drastically.
7. In a year’s time, your risks of heart attack and other heart diseases will reduce up to 50% of what it was when you were a smoker.
8. After five years, you will no longer be under the threat of having a stroke – it will now be same as that of a non-smoker.
9. By 10 years, risks of cancerous cells developing in several parts of your body will reduce enormously – including your mouth, throat, esophagus, gall bladder, kidney and pancreas. The risk of lung cancer becomes similar to that of a non-smoker.
10. In 15 years, your physiology will be similar to a person who has never smoked before. All threats to your health, whether it is cancer or any heart related disease, will be wiped off and you have a higher chance of dying as someone who has never touched a cigarette.
But apart from the various health benefits that you get when you quit smoking, you also do a lot of good to those who live with you or stay in close vicinity – your family members and children, for instance. When you smoke in their presence, they also suffer the same health risks as you do, so when you stop smoking, you also stop harming them – especially little children.