Why Deciding To Quit Smoking Cigarettes Is A Really Smart Move
So, you have decided that now is the right time to quit smoking cigarettes. Good for you! Considering that almost one half of a million people will die this year alone from smoking-related illnesses, you are making a very wise choice. In fact, you are probably adding about 13 years to your life expectancy with this one major decision.
You can look forward to the amazingly rapid restoration and healing that will take place in your body. Not only will your sense of smell and taste return, but within 12 hours your blood-oxygen levels will be back to normal and 90% of the nicotine from your last cigarette will be out of your bloodstream.
Within 48 hours, all those damaged nerve endings will start to re-grow, and in 3 days you will be completely nicotine free. Your lungs will begin to relax and start functioning better. As you reach the two week mark, the blood circulation in you gums and around your teeth will be improving. By three weeks of your decision to quit smoking cigarettes, those evil millions of nicotine-binding receptors in your brain will have lost their power over you.
At the three month mark, your risk of heart attack has started dropping, your lung functions are improving, as is your circulation. That persistent cough should be dwindling, and with easier breathing, getting around should take less effort. All the while, new cilia have started growing in your lungs, handling mucus and threats of infection.
At the end of one year from the time that you started on your journey to quit smoking cigarettes, your risk of heart disease has been cut in half from that of those still smoking. With more time, your risk of stroke will also decrease, as will the danger of lung cancer. Even the problem of tooth loss that smokers often face will be diminished as time progresses.
When 15 years rolls around, you will have fought back your risk of heart disease to the point that it is the same as if you had never smoked, and you will have probably been enjoying good health and extra energy for all this time.
While the health benefits are the most important reasons to stop smoking cigarettes, there are other considerations as well. Has anyone ever told you how badly your clothes and breath smell when you enter a room or approach a non-smoker? It's pretty disgusting and offensive to everyone but your smoking friends who are totally desensitized to the odor.
Parents may dread having you around their children, no matter how personally fond of you they are. Babies shouldn't spend time in your company and breathe into their delicate lungs the contaminated air from your cigarettes. You've probably heard about second-hand smoke.
It's true. You may be putting at serious risk the very people you love the most. When you quit smoking, all these unpleasant issues immediately become non-existent. How great is that!
Finally, you may be aware how the cost of a pack of cigarettes continues to rise. Did you know that your decision to stop smoking cigarettes can save you as much as $1500 a year just for the smokes. There are more savings to be found in decreased dental and dry-cleaning expenses.
You'll probably pay less for your health insurance, and your job may even be more secure. Deciding to break free from your cigarette addiction is the smartest decision you could possibly make.
