Here’s What Happens To Your Body When You Quit Smoking

Hey there! If you’re puffing away on a cigarette, I’ve got some great news for you. Quitting smoking can do wonders for your body, and the changes start happening within minutes of your last puff.

We all know smoking is terrible for our health, but it’s pretty amazing to see just how quickly our bodies can start healing once we kick the habit.

Want to know more about what happens to your body when you quit smoking? Keep reading!

What Happens To Your Body When You Quit Smoking

Here’s what happens to your body when you quit smoking:

First 20 minutes

Firstly, just 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your body begins to change. Your blood pressure and pulse will lower and return to normal, and the temperature in your hands and feet will increase. It’s amazing to think that within just 20 minutes, your body is already beginning to repair itself!

After 12 hours

After 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood will start to drop and return to normal, while blood oxygen levels begin to increase. You’ll start to feel more alert, sleep better, and be stronger overall. It’s like your body is waking up after a long slumber, ready to take on the world.

After 24 hours

By the 24-hour mark, your risk of heart attack will have dropped significantly. This is a huge benefit of quitting smoking that’s often overlooked. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, and by quitting, you’re doing your heart a huge favor.

After 48 hours

After 48 hours, nerve endings will begin to regrow, and you’ll start to notice changes in your sense of smell and taste. If you’ve been a long-time smoker, it might surprise you just how much you’ve been missing out on!

3 Months

Around 3 months after quitting, your circulation will start to improve. You’ll notice that walking is easier, and you’ll cough less. Your lung function will be markedly improved, and you’ll be able to take deeper breaths without feeling winded.

9 Months

Between 1 and 9 months after quitting, you’ll start to notice that you have less sinus congestion and fatigue, and nearly no shortness of breath. This is a huge benefit for anyone who’s struggled with respiratory issues as a result of smoking.

After 1 Year

After 1 year, your risk of coronary heart disease is half of what it was when you smoked. This is a significant milestone and shows just how much quitting smoking can benefit your health in the long term.

5 Years

Between 5 and 15 years after quitting, your risk of stroke will return to normal, as if you never smoked at all. This is a huge benefit, as smoking is a major risk factor for stroke. By quitting, you’re significantly reducing your risk of this potentially devastating condition.

10 Years

At the 10-year mark, your chance of developing smoking-related cancer is about the same as a non-smoker. It’s worth noting that diet and smoking contribute to 60% of cancers, so quitting smoking is just one part of a larger effort to reduce your risk of cancer.

After 15 Years

Finally, after 15 years, your risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack is the same as a non-smoker. Your risk of death has also dropped to that of a non-smoker. This is a huge achievement and shows just how much quitting smoking can benefit your overall health and well-being.

Money saved

You will also save $1000-$2000 each year when you quit smoking depending on how often you smoke, which over 10 years can add up to as much as an extra $20,000 you will have at your disposal.

Plus all the money you will save on lighters, matches, medical bills, dental bills, medications, and any other expenses that would come from illness and sickness resulting from a compromised immune system and bodily damage from smoking.

Not to mention, you will add years to your life, and the years you do live will be filled with more energy, life, and vitality.  You will also look better, smell better, feel better about yourself and will have a better influence over people in your life who look up to you.

Best of luck on quitting! You owe it to yourself and to your amazing body that is working hard to keep you alive.

Bottom Line

The bottom line is, quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health.

Not only will you notice immediate changes within just minutes of quitting, but the long-term benefits are truly amazing.

From improved lung function to a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer, the benefits of quitting smoking are too numerous to list.

So if you’re a smoker, take that first step today and start your journey towards a healthier, happier you.

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