Many people who are lifetime smokers spend years trying to quit. As any smoker knows, though, nicotine is addictive, so quitting smoking is no easy feat.
When people decide to finally quit smoking, it’s a true test of willpower. One thing that gets people to continue avoiding cigarettes is knowing that they’ll experience health benefits as time passes.
Although many people know that quitting smoking will help lower their chances of lung cancer, there are actually many other health-related reasons to quit smoking.
Within just days, people may experience a variety of bodily sensations, from lower blood pressure to an increased sense of smell. In fact, people feel some health benefits right away.
If you quit smoking or are thinking about quitting smoking, you need to read this to find out exactly what happens when your body heals from smoking.
According to Huffington Post and CVS Health, the health benefits of quitting smoking last a lifetime.
Read on to see a timeline of all the health changes that happen after you put out your last cigarette!
20 To 30 Minutes After Quitting Smoking
Cancer.org explains that your pulse will start to drop, and you’ll notice your hands and feet starting to warm up.
Eight Hours After Quitting Smoking
After only eight hours, the oxygen levels in your blood increase.
Additionally, Cancer.org explains that after 12 hours, your carbon monoxide blood levels drop to normal.
Two Days After Quitting Smoking
After two days of not smoking, you’ll have heightened senses of smell and taste!
With everything smelling more fragrant and tasting more delicious, this might be one of the most noticeable changes.
Three Days After Quitting Smoking
Three days after your last cigarette, your bronchial tubes relax.
That means that your lungs will be more relaxed, and breathing may feel less labored than before.
Two To Three Weeks After Quitting Smoking
Many people who smoke notice that they don’t have a lot of stamina when it comes to exercising.
After two to three weeks, you’ll experience an increase in endurance, better lung function, and increased circulation, according to Cancer.org.
One To Nine Months After Quitting Smoking
In less than a year, the number of benefits you’ll experience from quitting smoking will be huge.
In addition to all the previously mentioned benefits, you’ll also see a decrease in coughing and sinus congestion.
Cancer.org says that tiny hairs in your lungs will regain normal function and they will be better able to clear mucus and reduce infection.
You’ll also feel an overall increase in energy.
One Year After Quitting Smoking
One year after quitting smoking, your risk of heart disease drops to half of what it is for a smoker.
Five Years After Quitting Smoking
After five years, there are some hugely important health benefits that ex-smokers will see.
Your risk of stroke will drop to the same risk level as a non-smoker, and your risk of other cancers will greatly decrease as well, according to Cancer.org.
10 Years After Quitting Smoking
As you may know, lung cancer is one of the biggest health concerns for smokers.
Ten years after putting out your last cigarette, your lung cancer risk decreases by half.
According to Cancer.org, your risk of larynx and pancreatic cancers decrease as well.
15 Years After Quitting Smoking
Fifteen years after your last cigarette, your risk of heart disease, as well as your risk of death, are similar to a nonsmoker’s.
Over time, other benefits could include a decreased your risk of diabetes, increased life expectancy, and normal blood-vessel function.
If you’ve quit smoking, did you notice any of these changes?
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